Alexis Sanchez: ‘English footballers are pampered and they have no chance of winning World Cup’

Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez has hit out at the culture of football in England and believes Roy Hodgson's men have no chance of glory in next year's World Cup.

Sanchez will be the star player in the South American side's line-up when they face England in a friendly at Wembley on Friday evening.

The 24-year-old recently passed 100 appearances for Spanish giants Barcelona, but claims he has had to work hard to rise to the top from the streets of Chile.

That is in stark contrast to his England counterparts, whom Sanchez perceives as being pampered from a young age.

"We are a tougher team than England," he said in the Daily Express. "The problem for teams like England is that everything is so easy for them. They join these academies at maybe 10 or 11 years old and everything is done for them.

"I used to wash cars for such little money just so I had enough money to buy my football boots. When you are at academies like Manchester United and Arsenal then everything is just given to you.

"If I had failed I would be working 15-hour days on construction sites and still not be earning enough to live. Football saved me, and I don't think any England players could say that."

The former Udinese man also cast doubt on England's hopes of victory in next year's World Cup in Brazil.

A European side has never triumphed when the event has been held in South America, but while Sanchez is hopeful of his own nation's hopes, he thinks Spain and Germany will be leading contenders.

"I don't think England can win the World Cup," he said. "They have some very good players but are probably not at the level where they can beat the best.

"It will be very hard for any team outside of South America to win in Brazil, but if two teams have a chance then it is Spain and Germany. Their teams are exceptional.

"We have to believe that Chile has a chance. It is not a home tournament but we must take advantage of it being in South America. We will not have to adjust to the conditions as much as other nations."

Meanwhile, Rickie Lambert thinks Chile striker Alexis Sanchez has done England's team-talk for them by branding Roy Hodgson's squad "soft".

And I suppose Alexis must think Chile can win because of their "Football Culture"?

SMH Stupid move, Alexis. Stupid move.

Lord Awesome wrote:And I suppose Alexis must think Chile can win because of their "Football Culture"?

SMH :facepalm:Stupid move, Alexis. Stupid move.

Who cares lol? not like he said this before a quarter final.

Anyways he's right lol.

If England and Chile meet at WC, I will remember this thread.

Ya, because its not like any 1st world countries have ever won the world cup before.. oh wait.

So Sanchez wants our footballers to wash cars at the age of 15?


Why is he crying?

http://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/desmienten-que-alexis-sanchez-haya-dado-una-entrevista-inglaterra-2834829

Alexis denies giving an interview to the English press.

Imb4 tHe media doesn't invent quotes

Doesn't matter. It's a GL meme now

RealGunner wrote:So Sanchez wants our footballers to wash cars at the age of 15?


Why is he crying?

Wilshere: I'm tired of Alexis Sanchez's tears.

I was laughed at by Mole and others when I said Chile is probably top 5 in terms of actually being a team(Not Squad, but an actual team) in the world.

I will be vindicated when Chile Beats both England and Brazil over this international break.


I will also be embarrassed when they go on to lose to Tahiti or another equally small nation before the world cup.

Its Chile....

Well Chile's isn't top 5 but definately top 15, methinks. They have an awesome midfield Isla, Vidal, Medel, along with Alexis but that's about it.

Alexis' agent:

Fernando Felicevich ‏@ffelicevich 5h
Alexis's interview published today by the Daily Express is 100% FALSE. Alexis has not given any interview to British media.

Fernando Felicevich ‏@ffelicevich 5h
La entrevista a Alexis que publica hoy el Daily Express es 100% FALSA. Alexis no ha dado ninguna entrevista a medios ingleses.

Lord Awesome wrote:Well Chile's isn't top 5 but definately top 15, methinks. They have an awesome midfield Isla, Vidal, Medel, along with Alexis but that's about it.

Can you really name 14 other national teams better than Chile?

spain, germany, argentina, brazil, italy, netherlands, portugal, uruguay, france, belgium, colombia all definitely better than chile imo.

so no, definitely not top 5, or even top 10, top 15 feels about right but closer to 10, maybe.

I would've added Ivory Coast as well.

Chile in top 5? Yeah sure, why not, guys like Gonzalo Jara in the defense surely make them a top 5 team.

I don't know why England play friendlies, it's pointless, if we win the reaction is it's just a friendly, we're shit when it matters, and if we lose/draw we're just shit

Portugal/France/ and Uruguay ahead of Chile

Natalie Portman wrote:Portugal/France/ and Uruguay ahead of Chile

agreed lol chile is a top 10 team imo, and for the record, way than england, we will see anyway.

So in order to be a top sports person you have to have a tough childhood? Okay.

are you guys purposely ignoring the posts that show proof that Sanchez never said this? or..

vanDEEZ wrote:spain, germany, argentina, brazil, italy, netherlands, portugal, uruguay, france, belgium, colombia all definitely better than chile imo.

so no, definitely not top 5, or even top 10, top 15 feels about right but closer to 10, maybe.

I cant even be mad with you putting Colombia  in there after the way that match in Barranquilla went last month. It was typical Chile.

Absolutely owned them until halftime, and then went out and didnt even TRY to play for the next 45 minutes. Horrid display.

Also Brazil has whats coming to them next week

vanDEEZ wrote:spain, germany, argentina, brazil, italy, netherlands, portugal, uruguay, france, belgium, colombia all definitely better than chile imo.

so no, definitely not top 5, or even top 10, top 15 feels about right but closer to 10, maybe.

Uruguay? Wait, what?

uruguay still have a better team imo. but fine take uruguay out, still doesnt make chile a top 10 team let alone top 5

Y'all been forgetting Marcelo Diaz and Vargas and Mena....