Current England side lack experience of Euro '96 stars – Darren Anderton

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EXCLUSIVE

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England’s European Championship hopes could be derailed by a lack of experience – with Roy Hodgson’s men lacking the know-how and leadership of the team that reached the last four of the competition in 1996.

That’s the view of Darren Anderton, who was a member of the last England side to reach a major tournament semi-final.  

England go into the current tournament with the youngest squad in the competition, with an average age of just 25 – a sharp contrast to the older heads who guided Terry Venables’ side to the semi-finals.  

And Anderton questions whether the Three Lions have the leaders and experience needed to challenge for the title.

“I think if there’s one thing this England side lack then it’s that experience at the back,” he told Goal.

“Our team was full of top, top players, characters, captains of their teams – the likes of Stuart Pearce, Tony Adams, Paul Ince, Alan Shearer.

“Me and Steve [McManaman] were just the youngsters running up and down the wing. It just had a really good balance about it and the best manager in Terry to bring the best out of us.

“I was very fortunate to be part of that team and that tournament.”