Former Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola believes the intense spotlight on England s national team has been a barrier to success.
Italian Zola has first-hand experience of English football, with the forward setting the Premier League alight during seven years as a player with Chelsea between 1996 and 2003.
The 45-year-old, who was voted the club s greatest ever player in a fan poll, also spent two seasons as manager of east London club West Ham United.
And Zola feels constant media attention and public scrutiny is a cause of the England team s lack of success.
Their position is such a difficult position, because whatever you do it s always the wrong thing, Zola said when asked about England s prospects ahead of Saturday s friendly with Spain.
My position is that the day the England team in general find a bit of tranquillity, then the results will be good.
Because potentially this country has got everything it needs to be a winner. So as soon as they find a peace of mind then everything will be much better.
I can see England beating anybody as long as they play at their best.
While Zola has hopes for England s future, he needs no convincing of Spain s credentials, with the reigning World and European champions among the favourites for Euro 2012.
Spain now they are a really doing something special, he said.
They are playing well, they have confidence, they have everything on their side. But football, you never know I really hope England will be able to challenge them.
Zola, who served as coach of Italy s Under-21 team between 2006 and 2008, hinted he may soon re-enter management, despite his sacking from West Ham in 2010.
Managing has been a difficult experience I ve had a lot of satisfaction but also some downsides, Zola said.
But I ve learnt a lot and I will take advantage of those things in the next two years.
