Maradona compliments England's style of play
Diego Maradona believes England's success at this summer's World Cup is due to their capability to avoid long balls.
Maradona, who won the 1986 World Cup with his native Argentina, believes England have made a fundamental change to their style of play in this World Cup, and that explains their improved record of two wins in two group matches.
Gareth Southgate's team have faced two tough challeneges so far, facing teams who were less technically gifted than them but more willing to use their physicality during play. Despite that, England have stuck to their guns and decided to play out from the back, something for which Southgate is very proud.
England have had success at youth level football in recent years, and the Argetine legend told Venezuelan channel 'Telesur' that it shows a shift in attitude in the English gam,e which is bringing success.
He said: "They want to go out and play. I don't think it's the coach. It comes from below - they are under-17 and under-20 world champions. This speaks clearly that the boys are being forged in a way England did not have before.
"They don't hit the ball across half the pitch. No, they want to go out playing and they found some other attributes with respect to the opponent they had [Panama]."