Jaime Carragher has revealed that he has told his Spanish team-mates that he is not expecting them to win Euro 2008 because of the lack of pace in Luis Aragonés' team.
The Liverpool defender explained that he made no bones about his lack of faith in la Selección and explained that to Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina.
Instead, the England international is backing France or Italy to take the glory in Austria and Switzerland this summer.
"For me it's the same two usual contenders: France and Italy," he told LFC Magazine. "I'm always a big admirer of the French. They have a lot of players with African origins who have learned to play football in France and that's a really good combination.
"They always have plenty of pace in their team too. That's a huge advantage, especially when teams get tired due to the heat and with so many games in a short space of time.
"I always tell the Spanish lads there's not enough pace in the team. Obviously they've got Fernando Torres but apart from him there is no-one else really with that level of speed you need.
"They also lack something in terms of strength. At least that's what I tell them all the time. I'm sure they'll be out to prove me wrong but I don't think it will happen."
Despite not believing that the Spain team can triumph, Carragher does think that Torres can enhance his reputation even further at the tournament.
"I'm sure Fernando will be one of the favourites to be top scorer at Euro 2008," he added.
"He's probably the top striker in the world at the moment and will go into the tournament full of confidence."
The Liverpool defender explained that he made no bones about his lack of faith in la Selección and explained that to Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina.
Instead, the England international is backing France or Italy to take the glory in Austria and Switzerland this summer.
"For me it's the same two usual contenders: France and Italy," he told LFC Magazine. "I'm always a big admirer of the French. They have a lot of players with African origins who have learned to play football in France and that's a really good combination.
"They always have plenty of pace in their team too. That's a huge advantage, especially when teams get tired due to the heat and with so many games in a short space of time.
"I always tell the Spanish lads there's not enough pace in the team. Obviously they've got Fernando Torres but apart from him there is no-one else really with that level of speed you need.
"They also lack something in terms of strength. At least that's what I tell them all the time. I'm sure they'll be out to prove me wrong but I don't think it will happen."
Despite not believing that the Spain team can triumph, Carragher does think that Torres can enhance his reputation even further at the tournament.
"I'm sure Fernando will be one of the favourites to be top scorer at Euro 2008," he added.
"He's probably the top striker in the world at the moment and will go into the tournament full of confidence."
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