Euro 2016: Aaron Ramsey says Wales are a better team than England ahead of crunch game
Aaron Ramsey believes Wales are a better team than England. The 25-year-old midfielder is preparing to face the Three Lions in Lille on Thursday (16 June) and, ahead of the much-anticipated game, Ramsey has claimed to be part of the superior side.
Ramsey's bold remarks came shortly after his Arsenal teammate Jack Wilshere said: "If you put both teams down on paper, we would win the game." Wales, for their part, are looking to beat England for the first time since 1984 and progress to the round of 16.
"I believe we have the best team. We've been through a lot. We're seeing the rewards," Ramsey said, according to the BBC.
The Arsenal star feels Wales have grown as a team over recent years and thinks they are in the perfect place to cause an upset win in Lille. "We've been together through thick and thin. We fight for each other, we work our socks off for each other," said Ramsey, who endured an up and down season at Arsenal in 2015-16.
Ramsey's comments have been supported by his international teammate Gareth Bale, who claimed he would not select any English player ahead of his Welsh teammates. "We know we're a good team and know we can beat them on our day," he said.
"I'm not saying England don't have pride or passion, I'm sure they do. I just feel that we have more. I'm sure they have their opinion that they have more also. I just feel, whether it's football, rugby or whatever sport it is, in Wales we seem to have that next level."
Bale admitted the Welsh face a stiff challenge against England, but he is confident of recording an upset victory. "We know they're a bigger nation with more players to choose from but we've closed the gap massively," said Bale, who recently won the Champions League for the second time with Real Madrid.
"We know they're a good team and I'm sure if they put in a good performance, they'll feel they can beat us and we're exactly the same. If we work well as a team, we feel we can win."
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