As part of OneFootball’s collaboration series with Shoot Music we’re interviewing an artist about their love of football and, over the next few weeks, it will be all about the World Cup.
This week it’s England fans, Skepsis and Tony Perry.
How excited are you for the World Cup?
Skepsis: I’m absolutely buzzing for the World Cup. There’s just nothing like it — the whole country comes together, pubs packed, everyone suddenly believing again after one good result. As an England fan, it’s equal parts excitement and emotional damage though.
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Tony Perry: Buzzing! Just like Qatar, it might feel different to other World Cups, but as soon as we see that opening ceremony, all the fans going crazy for their nations, the goals, the fever will kick in. It’s going to be epic.
What’s your favourite World Cup memory as an England fan?
Skepsis: My favourite World Cup memory as an England fan has to be the 2018 run in Russia. The atmosphere around the country was unreal. The penalty shootout win against Colombia felt like years of pain being lifted for a moment, and the scenes after Kieran Trippier scored that free kick against Croatia are burned into my brain forever.
Tony: From recent times, that Trippier free kick against Croatia, was peak England fandom. I was also lucky to DJ at the games in Qatar so being up close when we beat Wales was special. However, I am old enough to remember Michael Owen’s goal against Argentina in 1998. Even now I watch it and think, “wow, a teenager managed to do that for us.” It was a very special goal.
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How do you rate England’s chances this year?
Skepsis: I actually rate England’s chances pretty highly this year. On paper, the squad is ridiculous going forward, and there’s finally real depth. The big question is whether they can handle the pressure in the key moments against elite teams. As a Manchester United fan I’m used to suffering anyway, so I never get too confident with England.
Tony: Full trust in Thomas Tuchel’s army. With the players coming off such a long season, the heat, the pitches and the travel, I think tactical nouse is going to be so important. With Tuchel, we have that and a winner too. I see us getting to the semi-finals.
If England are to go far this year, which one player do you think will be key to that success?
Skepsis: If England are going to go far, I think Jude Bellingham will be the key player. He’s got that rare thing where he can completely take over big games with personality as well as ability. He looks like someone who actually enjoys the pressure rather than hiding from it.
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Tony: For me, Declan Rice is the engine room. We’ve got a lot of attacking talent, but if we have a weakness, it’s probably at the back. Dec has the ability to lock out the opposition which helped Arsenal win the league. I think he’ll provide the same superpower for England.
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
Skepsis: I think Spain will win the World Cup. They’ve got the perfect mix of technical quality, young talent and experience, and they play with so much confidence and control. In tournament football, teams that can dominate possession and stay calm under pressure usually go very far.
Tony: I’m with Skepsis, Spain are so intelligent and even though they don’t have an elite striker, the collective is so strong. I felt Argentina would win the last one, and the feeling this time is for the Spanish!
‘Arctic (England edit)’ by Skepsis, Doktor & Tony Perry is out now.
You can follow both on Instagram here: @skepsismusicuk and @djtonyperry
Read the full article here
