Gareth Southgate would rather have Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka in his England squad than Neymar, according to Jason Cundy.
The Brazilian striker is one of the most iconic players on the planet right now, having shone for his country and being a key player for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Now 30, Neymar was instrumental in Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia on Thursday, in which Richarlison stole the show for Tite’s side.
Given the obvious quality the PSG star possesses, many would expect Neymar to take the competition by storm, but according to Cundy the player lacks the mentality to succeed in the England squad .
Speaking on The Sports Bar, Cundy said: “I never said he was a bad player. I never said that.
“What I’m saying is I think he’s overrated in what he brings to the team. Technically he’s obviously a wonderful footballer, but there’s an element to his game where people are seduced when they see the tricks and the movies.
“Name a game where it’s been ‘the Neymar game’. I’m serious – for club or country. I’m talking about big games, not Real Betis, I’m not talking about that!
“I’m talking about big games on the big stage. I always come back to ask questions about Neymar. I never go away thinking ‘yes’.
“I look at Mbappe and think ‘yeah’. There’s no hype with Mbappe.
O’Hara then asked, “Name a game Mason Mount. Name a game Raheem Sterling.
Cundy replied, “Mount won the Champions League”, to which O’Hara replied, “Neymar too!”
The conversation then turned to the Brazilian players who would make it into the England squad, with the former Tottenham midfielder saying he would have Neymar over Mount, which Cundy didn’t have.
He said: “I’ll tell you why Neymar doesn’t go near any team I want to support, it’s because it’s him.
“He’s not a team player. He is not. I would take Mount 100%.
“Neymar will not do what Mount will do. Mount will do the dirty work, not Neymar. If you are not a team player, you cannot enter the team.
“Neymar is not a team player. Can you imagine if Neymar was English in this Southgate team? Can you imagine the disruption, what it would do and the effect it would have?
“He’s not part of the gang. He left Barca because he couldn’t compete with Messi, then he shows up at PSG and Mbappe shows up and he’s not even the best player at PSG!
“It’s about him and it’s more than the player.”
Another player who was booked for particular praise was Bukayo Saka, who Cundy believes could be one of the best players in the competition.
Continuing the debate about England players coming into the Brazil squad, Cundy said: “Vinicius Jr and Saka, there’s the debate. There’s no better wide player than Saka right now.
“I don’t claim to have seen every game Vinicius Jr has played, but I know how good he is. From what I’ve seen, Saka could end up in the team of the tournament. He’s the best draw.
O’Hara replied, “I agree. I think he has a special talent and I don’t think we appreciate how good he is.
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