Which England pair have most impressed Park?

Tuesday 06 December 2022 09:00

Former Manchester United favourite Ji-sung Park is out in Qatar, working for the media at the World Cup, and admits he has been most impressed by two of England's star performers at the tournament.

The South Korean, a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson's team between 2005 and 2012, had a word with Sky News ahead of his fellow countrymen's last-16 defeat to Brazil. 

Park spoke about the chances of Gareth Southgate's men going all the way, after setting up a quarter-final date with France at the weekend.

"I think they believe in each other and trust each other," Park said of the Three Lions.

"It's more that they have great communication with each other as team players. That's the difference from previous England generations. Because it's a new generation, they have a different mindset and different mentality.

"Gareth Southgate manages them well as a team, that's why they have been brilliant at the Euros and the World Cup."

Park is working at the tournament for South Korean TV and was asked which of the England players had most impressed him.

"It's difficult," he admitted. "Actually, if I choose one, probably [Jude] Bellingham and the other was [Marcus] Rashford. These two players were great through the group phase."

The 41-year-old, who graced the tournament and scored in the finals in 2002, 2006 and 2010, believes Southgate's men are capable of going all the way, if they can see off France on Saturday night.

Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford have sparkled for England.

"I think they have a good chance," he added. "If they beat France, they are in the semi-finals and it's a big chance for them to win the World Cup.

"But it's not easy and England have not won a World Cup since 1966. 

"It's been a long time for the English fans to lift that trophy but, yeah, they have a big chance. This is the World Cup, though, you need luck as well. I want to see how far they can go."

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