Former Chelsea and France central defender Marcel Desailly has backed DR Congo as they prepare to face England in the World Cup on Wednesday night.
Thomas Tuchel’s men are the clear favourites to win the match, but DR Congo have impressed on their way to the knockout rounds so far.
The pressure is on England to deliver, but Desailly wants Congo to emerge victorious.
Despite that, he said that if France are unable to win the tournament this summer, he hopes either England or Colombia will lift the trophy in the United States.
Allez Les Bleus
During an exclusive conversation with sportscasting.com, Desailly said when asked who he wanted to win on Wednesday: “Congo. I mean, I am of African origin, so yes, I want Congo to win.
“But I’m confused. I’m confused because I am for diversity; I want different things.
“Okay, I want France to win, that’s obvious, don’t get me wrong.
“But I absolutely don’t want Argentina to win, because I want diversity and I want football to be promoted globally.
“It’s so nice to see Colombia winning and making the Colombian people happy.
“England hasn’t won anything since ’66, and they are a little bit more legitimate than Colombia when you look at their historical performance and the players currently in their system.
“So I’m confused. Both of them are in my heart to go on and win it if France cannot make it.”
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Tuchel on England duo
England manager Tuchel, meanwhile, says injured duo Reece James and Jarell Quansah are getting close to a return to fitness.
Chelsea right-back James has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury in the second group match against Ghana, while Quansah rolled his ankle in the win over Panama.
The injuries leave England with few options at right-back, where Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa can both play.
“They’re getting closer and closer,” Tuchel said on Sky Sports before the last-32 game against DR Congo.
“I saw both of them on the pitch.
“In the nature of the injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece, but the race was close even to make it into a match squad this time.
“So we need to make sure that we have more matches. That is the main focus and then they will be available very soon.”
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