Zenit holding midfielder says Three Lions are simply a collection of individual stars.
Check in to Ukraine vs England
Ukraine captain Anatoliy Tymoshchuk has taunted England ahead of the two nations’ meeting in their FIFA World Cup Group H qualifier in Kyiv on Tuesday night, according to reports in the Sunday Mirror.
Roy Hodgson’s side currently top the standings on the road to next summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil, however, the Three Lions only head third-placed Ukraine by a single point going into their clash next week, with just three games left to play in the section.
And the Ukraine skipper has sent out a stark warning to England ahead their contest by claiming that his side are far more of a team than their opponents are, with the 34-year-old describing Hodgson’s side as a collection of “big-name” individuals who have shone for their clubs on the European front, only to consistently flop on the international stage.
“We do not have you the big names that England have, but we have very good players,” said the experienced Zenit St Petersburg midfield player.
“The truth is that the big English names – like Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard – have had lots of success and won many trophies for their clubs, but for whatever reason they cannot do it with their country.
“England might have names that all football fans know around Europe, but Ukraine are better.
“We are more balanced and when you see us play we look more of a team than England – more like we are in tune with each other.
“That is why there is real belief within the squad that we can qualify for Brazil.”
The two countries have already met twice before during the course of the past 12 months, with England winning 1-0 in Ukraine in their final group fixture at Euro 2012 on their way to qualifying for the last eight.
However, Tymoshchuk and Co gained some measure of revenge for that home defeat which ultimately saw the co hosts eliminated from the European Championship by leaving Wembley with a well-earned 1-1 draw on the previous occasion the two teams played each other last September.