Fabio Capello: Prove yourselves against Sweden

Posted Monday, November 14, 2011 by The Sun

Fabio Capello: Prove yourselves against Sweden
CHALLENGE ... Fabio Capello

FABIO CAPELLO has told his new-look England: Beat Sweden and I'll know we've got something special going on.

The Three Lions boss believes young stars like Phil Jones, Jack Rodwell, Danny Welbeck and Kyle Walker, who featured in Saturday's win over world champions Spain, showed they have no fear and can thrive in the international arena.

But Capello insists the game against the Swedes at Wembley tomorrow night will be the bigger test and will underline their England credentials.

He said: "When you think the opponents are better than you, then you have to play at the top.

"Your concentration and focus is right at that level, all game.

"But what is difficult is when you play a team and you think you are better than them. Then you really need to play at the top level. This is the change we need to make."

England are ranked seventh in the world with the Swedes, who are a notorious bogey team, 14th.

The Three Lions last beat the men in yellow and blue in 1968.

And, in the 10 games since, they have drawn seven and lost three — failing to score in six of them.

But Capello is confident the new boys can produce again after their performance against the Spanish.

He added: "It was an important night for England. I remember as a manager at Roma, I put young players like Daniele De Rossi and others into my team.

"You can see if a player has the confidence in their first game with that team. That is what is so important.

"They had been in the academy before but now, with the seniors, we had to see if they could play the same way.

"The players who played against Spain played the same way as they do with their clubs. So I think, from my experience, they are now ready.

"Some players, really young ones, like Rodwell, played with great confidence, without problems. I knew him but I never thought a player so young, on his first big occasion, could be so ready, so good to play at this level.

"With Welbeck, he is improving in every game. And Jones tried to play in midfield and had a good game.

"It was difficult in his position to win back the ball and play but his movement without the ball and some of his tackles were really, really good.

"Against Sweden, it will be really difficult. Their movement when they defend is very good and then they play on the counter-attack.

"Also, now, after we have beaten Spain, they will come here thinking we are good, So they know they will have to play better — and so will we.

"This is the next step, the really important one we have to take if we want to go forward and improve. But, against Spain, we found good players.

"The result was really important because of the effect on the confidence of the team. In the past, sometimes, they have lost that."

Rodwell, 20, savoured the greatest moment of his career — then warned England's regulars to look over their shoulders.

The Everton midfielder, who impressed after coming on as a sub for Jones in the 56th minute, is planning to make an impact in the Premier League ahead of next summer's finals in Poland and Ukraine.

He said: "The biggest game of anyone's career is their first England game. And the likes of me, Jones, Welbeck and Sturridge and also Wilshere — who is injured — are all promising and, hopefully, we can keep pushing.

"If you are good enough, you should play. No matter what age, I think the manager will see the quality of the player and will go from there.

"It's great for the manager to say such encouraging things.

"But it's a long way away and there is a long season for Everton. Now I have to keep focus and my feet on the ground and keep working hard. But I made my senior debut, so it's a really proud moment for me and beating the world champions at Wembley made it a perfect night all round.

"I played against Spain Under-16s at this stadium and got the winner. That was a good day — but this tops it.

"I was a like-for-like replacement for Phil Jones. I had been watching him from the start and I was told just to press from midfield and keep a solid shape and see the game out."

At the start of the season, Everton owner Bill Kenwright told Rodwell that this was to be his breakthrough season.

He added: "This season was always going to be a big season for me. I have had the backing of all the people at Everton, so I'd like to thank everyone at Everton.

"Mr Kenwright said just be confident. Play your game and, hopefully, you will get a regular role."