Bruce Tips Argentina For World Cup Glory

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who has a very wide knowledge on South American football, has admitted he cannot see anyone beating Argentina this Summer for the World Cup.

Bruce obviously has high hopes for his national team and knows Cappello will get the best out of his squad but feels we may fall short in technical ability.

Steve Bruce told the Sunderland echo: ‘My heart says this could be England’s year – I look at players like Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and say ‘why not?’

‘They’re all world-class players and they’re surrounded by a squad that is not short of talent or determination.

‘But my head says it is likely to be a South American country.’

Steve Bruce has signed many brillant players in his managerial career from South America and will also have scouts scouring the tournament for more additions in this competition.

Bruce added: ‘It’s just my gut instinct, but I can see the South American teams doing very well in this tournament.

‘I fancy Paraguay to surprise a few people.

‘I think Argentina will do well.

‘And, of course, you’ve got the likes of Brazil who you can never discount.

‘But if I was absolutely pushed to name one side, then I think I’d probably say Argentina.

‘Yes, they had their troubles in qualifying for the competition and, yes, a lot of questions have been raised about the quality of Diego Maradona as a manager.

‘But what you can’t get away from is just what top quality players they have at their disposal. They’ve got players like Lionel Messi, who is World Footballer of the Year, and Carlos Tevez, who we in the Premier League know all about.

‘But they’ve got a stack of other top players, too.

‘So I think they’ll take some stopping and I’ve got a feeling they might have what it takes to win it.

‘But I’ll still be cheering England on and hoping for the best, like everyone else.’