Football News: England Prepare for Potential Penalties with Dutch Expertise
As England gears up for another potential shootout in the upcoming match, they are drawing on the expertise of a Dutch penalty specialist, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who played a crucial role in their flawless penalty success against Switzerland during the Euro 2024 campaign.
Hasselbaink, who earned 23 caps for the Netherlands, is one of Gareth Southgate’s assistant coaches and brings unique experience from both international setups. The former Chelsea, Leeds, and Middlesbrough striker works primarily with England’s attackers, and a fresh approach to penalty-taking has been cultivated during the tournament.
Foden Praises Hasselbaink’s Influence
Phil Foden, the Manchester City midfielder, explained the calming influence Hasselbaink has had on the team. “Jimmy’s got a lot of experience in the game, he knows his stuff. He’s been taking a few of us after training to practise penalties,” Foden told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Foden noted that the mixture of assuredness and moderation brought by Hasselbaink’s sessions has coincided with the fact that this England squad can call upon genuine spot-kick specialists. “I feel like we’ve got the balance just right now,” Foden said. “It does help that we’ve got some of the best penalty-takers in the world like Ivan [Toney] and Cole [Palmer], who never look like missing.”
A Welcome Development for England
The new penalty approach has been a welcome development for the England team, who have struggled with shootouts in the past. Foden acknowledged that regular penalty takers for their clubs sit above him in the pecking order, but he is confident in the team’s ability to perform under pressure.
As England prepares for the Netherlands, the addition of Hasselbaink’s expertise and the team’s newfound confidence in their penalty-taking abilities could prove crucial in the upcoming challenges of the Euro 2024 tournament.
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