Helmut Haller backing England

West Germany’s first goalscorer in the 1966 World Cup final Helmut Haller claims England can win this summer’s tournament on German soil.

Haller, 66, who played in three World Cups, counts England among the favourites to lift the trophy in July.

“I think England are among the eight teams who are capable of winning the World Cup,” Haller said before Germany’s 2-2 friendly draw against Japan in Leverkusen.

“All of their big players play in the Champions League so I think they will be ones to watch out for, especially if (David) Beckham turns into a real playmaker.”

Haller, a former Juventus and Bologna player who gave West Germany a 1-0 lead at Wembley 40 years ago, is particularly impressed by England’s physical presence on the pitch.

“I love watching English football,” he added.

“Their players are good sprinters and physically very strong. What fascinates me about England is their back line, which is very robust.

“And then they have Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in midfield, which is the best England have had in that position for ages.”

The former midfielder also lauded Sven-Goran Eriksson’s attack.

“Up front they are very dangerous because they are probably the best in the air and the crosses from their wingers are very precise.”

Haller, who now serves as a representative for a charity organisation, also claimed that Geoff Hurst’s famous extra-time winner never crossed the line.

“It was not a goal,” Haller insisted.

“I was six or eight metres away from the line and saw the ball. If it was a goal, if the ball had crossed the line, it would not have bounced that far out. I am fully convinced that these days the English people will start saying that the ball has not crossed the line.”