Redknapp lauds England talent

Harry Redknapp says he would not swap England’s attack for any other team at Euro 2012, including world and European champions Spain.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Redknapp believes Roy Hodgson’s men can cause a shock in Poland and Ukraine and feels no team will want to take them on should they qualify for the knockout stages.

“Before the tournament, I said organisation in defence was key but, against the Swedes, England showed how threatening they are up front,” Redknapp said.

“Every other team at the Euros will have taken note and nobody will fancy playing us.”

Redknapp, who was the favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager before Hodgson’s appointment, feels Wayne Rooney has to feature against Ukraine having completed the suspension which ruled him out of the games against France and Sweden.

“With Wayne Rooney at last available now for the match against Ukraine, there’s no way he can be left out. I’d play him alongside Danny Welbeck, who gives England good movement,” he said.

“The pair have developed a great understanding at Manchester United and we could reap the rewards of that. Wayne is raring to go, so I’m backing him to score.

“With the added threat of Andy Carroll off the bench, England have a scary looking attack. Steven Gerrard has had two very good games at the Euros and his cross for Carroll showed what pinpoint accuracy he possesses.

“Frankly, I wouldn’t swap England’s front six for any at this tournament – including Spain’s.”

Redknapp is confident ahead of England’s Group D match against co-hosts Ukraine on Tuesday.

“We will beat Ukraine,” he said.

“They’ll have their home fans roaring and Andriy Shevchenko will be determined to have a glorious swansong, but I’m not impressed.

“They were lucky to win their first match and France exposed their defensive weaknesses.

“The hosts need a win whereas we only need a draw. They’ll go for it, that will leave them exposed and Theo Walcott and Ashley Young could terrorise them on the break.

“Andriy Pyatov looks dodgy in goal and if we’re as rampant as we were against Sweden, then we could be ahead at half-time and full-time.”