England flawed - Waddle

Waddle: England need a defensive re-think

Is the England team fatally flawed? Former international Chris Waddle certainly thinks so.

All the talk in the run-up to Euro 2000 has been of problems of the left side of midfield. But Waddle, who won 62 caps, believes the trouble begins at the back.

"We desperately need a ball-playing defender," he told BBC Sport Online.

"In international football, you get so much possession and time at the back. It's vital that you have someone there with vision and awareness to get the build-up going. France have Laurent Blanc and Germany Lothar Matthaus, but we don't have that sort of player.

"Until we do, we'll remain a team that's hard to beat - but never be one of the world's top three."

England need a Frank de Boer, says Waddle

Whether England go with three at the back plus two wing-backs, or a more traditional flat back four, Waddle believes one player must be able to pass the ball as well as a top-flight midfielder.

"If you're going to play three, the spare man must have the ability to start an attack," he says.

"Think of Frank de Boer for Holland, and before him Ronald Koeman. Both of them could spot a run and knock the right ball 40, 50 metres.

"In a back four, you need one man sweeping in front - the job Dunga did for Brazil when they won the World Cup in 1994. You don't have to be a fantastic defender, as long as you can read the game."

Wise

"Of the current England squad, only Dennis Wise could maybe play in that role in a four. But there's no-one who could do it with three. Paul Ince has the defensive skills but not the ability to knock long balls.

"Until we have a defence who are all comfortable on the ball, we won't reach the top in world football. Sol Campbell's a great defender, but does he enjoy the ball?

"Martin Keown might be harder to get by than Laurent Blanc, but when Blanc has the ball, it's like having another creative midfielder. He has the vision to open the game up."

International football is different to club football. It's like comparing basketball with chess

Chris Waddle

"International football is different to club football. It's like comparing basketball with chess.

"You need players who could play almost anywhere on the pitch. When England's midfield have the ball and are being forced back, they'd rather send it all the way back to David Seaman than give it to one of the defenders.

"Our domestic game isn't developing the right sort of player. Technically our forwards and midfield are okay, but we're lacking at the back.

Adams

Waddle, who played in the World Cup semi-final of 1990 with England, believes the presence of Tony Adams will be crucial to England's hopes.

"We need Tony's ability to marshal the defence," he says. "If he gets injured we'll have a few problems.

"Against Malta we were defending too high up the pitch. It meant that even a simple ball over the top could catch us out. And if Malta can get behind us, we'll have real problems against better teams.

"I've always felt that you're better off defending with the opposition in front of you, keeping them where you can see them.

"Against Ukraine we were too gung-ho, and then left us open to quick counter-attacks."