The MK Dons head coach gave his thoughts on England’s chances at the World Cup

As England prepare for their World Cup quarter final against Norway tonight (Saturday), Paul Warne said he has been loving the tournament so far, but he does not think football is coming home this summer.

With the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the way for Thomas Tuchel’s side, England are fourth favourites to lift the trophy for the first time since 1966 behind France, Argentina and Spain. And that order is the same way MK Dons boss Warne felt the tournament would play out before the tournament kicked off.

Jilted too many times by England in his lifetime, Warne admitted he does not see England lifting the trophy later this month, saying the performances have been ‘a bit rubbish’ thus far, despite reaching the last eight.

Asked if it was coming home, he said: “No, but that’s because I’m in my 50s and I never like to get my hopes up. This is the worst and the best I’ve seen them. In every other tournament, we sort of play better but always lose. This tournament, we’re a bit rubbish but effective. Defensively we’re all over the gaff, but we’ve got goals in the team. It’s a bit of a Kevin Keegan England team where you win 3-2, 4-3.

“I do like the team, but I don’t think it’s a world champion team. My three before the tournament were Spain, France and Argentina. After the Portugal game, I think Spain can go up another level. I still think France are the best, and Argentina are good at a street-fight and a football match. I like the way they are, even if it’s against everything I was brought up to like.

“It would be great if it came home, it’s always good for the country if the team does well.”

The performances of England’s front line stars Bellingham and Kane though have impressed Warne, saying they both have gone above and beyond his own expectations of the duo across the Atlantic.

He continued: “I always knew Kane was a good player but I don’t think I realise how good he was. And I was told Bellingham did 2,000 high-speed metres in the game the other day. If one of our player does 1,000 in a game, every red light goes off in MK saying ‘get him off, he’s going to die’ but Jude did 2,000, which is ridiculous.”