Franz Beckenbauer launches scathing attack on England

Beckenbauer, 64, made his comments in a South African newspaper

Franz Beckenbauer has launched a scathing attack on England’s style of play, claiming Fabio Capello’s side play “kick and rush” football.

Beckenbauer, 64, was commenting following England’s 1-1 draw with the United States on Saturday and after Germany recorded a 4-0 thumping of Australia the following day.

“What I saw of the English against the USA had very little to do with football,” said Beckenbauer in a column for South African newspaper the Times.

“It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush. I am not sure if the England coach Fabio Capello can still change much there.

“The English are being punished for the fact that there are very few English players in the Premier League as clubs use better foreign players from all over the world.”

Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole returned to full England training on Tuesday ahead of their next Group C match against Algeria on Friday, the same day that Germany face Serbia in Group D.