David Beckham Assesses England's Chances of Winning the World Cup in Brazil

David Beckham believes England can capture World Cup glory at next summer’s tournament in Brazil, citing an influx of young players as a particular reason to get excited.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Three Lions captain suggests he remains hopeful toward the country’s prospects, especially since Roy Hodgson placed an emphasis on giving younger players a chance to shine:

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I'm always optimistic about when England go into competitions because I've been there, I've felt how it is when you go into a big competition.

Roy's come in and changed the team around a lot, introducing a lot of young, talented players to the squad.

I think you always go into competitions thinking you're going to win it.

"

Beckham is most buoyed by the performances of Andros Townsend, the 22-year-old Tottenham winger who injected a sense of urgency into England’s attacking play during the World Cup qualifying wins over Montenegro and Poland:

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We have some young players coming through like Andros Townsend, who has come into the team and there's a freshness now. He is playing without any worries and that's great to see.

"

Both Hodgson’s decision to give Townsend his international debut and the player’s performances were inspired during the recent international break.

The explosive winger, who scored a stunning goal in his debut against Montenegro, has the ability to take England’s play through the gears with a simple run, dribble or shot.

Although the country remain an outside bet to claim their second World Cup title—highlighted by an unseeded place in Dec. 6’s group stage draw, per BBC Sport—a renewed sense of optimism can be felt after England secured automatic qualification with a comfortable 2-0 win against the Poles.

So often overhyped, it’s refreshing to witness an attitude that is defined by hope and not expectancy, summed up by Beckham’s optimistic assessment of the side's chances, per Sky Sports:

"This is the biggest football competition in the world, with the best players in the world, but we'll see," Beckham said. "I hope we can go all the way."

England face Chile on Nov. 15 and Germany on Nov. 19 in Wembley fixtures that are sure to test Hodgson's men.

Decent displays against two challenging teams would further galvanise confidence heading into next month’s draw.

Hodgson will undoubtedly give young talent an opportunity to express themselves as places in the nation's World Cup squad remain up for grabs across the rest of the season.

Such experimentation will deny England fans the chance to truly compare their side to Germany—one of the favourites for the World Cup—but it will allow Hodgson to test how the likes of Townsend shape up against truly top-class opposition.

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