Rickie Lambert believes England will use recent comments from Chile forward Alexis Sanchez as extra ‘motivation’ for the countries friendly on Friday.
PA PhotosRickie Lambert is using comments by Alexis Sanchez as motivation heading into the friendly between England and Chile.
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Barcelona forward Sanchez was quoted as saying that England players had it ‘easy’ and that Chile would prove too ‘tough’ for their opponents.
“We are a tougher team than England. Everything is so easy for them. They join these academies at maybe 10 or 11 years old and everything is done for them,” Sanchez said.
“I used to wash cars for such little money just so I had enough money to buy my football boots. When you are at academies like Manchester United and Arsenal, then everything is just given to you.
“My family was so poor that football for me was about survival.”
But Lambert quickly hit back, claiming the 24-year-old’s quotes would only spur the Three Lions onto victory.
“You can’t buy motivation like that,” Lambert told Sky Sports News. “It’s his opinion and we will take it on board and be looking forward to the game on Friday.”
Lambert has been joined in Roy Hodgson’s squad by Southampton teammates Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez and the towering forward said the game against Chile, and Tuesday’s game against Germany, the perfect chance to impress the England boss.
“This is another opportunity to impress, without a doubt,” Lambert said. “In training I will try to continue to impress and if I get a chance on Friday or Tuesday, whether I am starting or coming on as a sub, I will be determined to do well.
“(Lallana and Rodriguez) deserve to be there, the way they have performed. All the English lads in the Southampton team have done well but especially Adam and Jay.
“I hope there are openings for them and I am sure they will get a cap sooner or later.”
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