Xavi Says England Have a 'Real Chance' of Success at Euro 2016

Spain legend Xavi has backed England to surpass expectations by winning Euro 2016 this summer.

The former Barcelona midfielder won the championship twice with his country, in 2008 and 2012, and sees parallels between that side and the Three Lions' young team.

Xavi told the Mirror:

"

I think England have a real chance.

Before we (Spain) won our first title, I believe it was the pressure that meant we never progressed past the quarter-finals. Because of our quality, there was so much pressure on us—and it got to us.

"

Spain finally overcame that pressure to win successive European Championships and the FIFA World Cup in 2010, and Xavi can see England finding similar success:

"

England—when they had their golden generation of Lampard, Scholes, Beckham, Gerrard—had that same pressure and it is difficult to cope with. Mentally it can be a big block. Now England have this new generation of Kane, Sterling, Dele Alli and the English guys who have been doing incredible things for Leicester.

They have some very good players, but I don’t think there will be the same expectation on them to win the tournament. That could work for them, because it allows them just to go and play football. If they can get their leader and great player Wayne Rooney back then they have a big chance.

"

Here's hoping he's right.

[h/t the Mirror]