Somewhere in a parallel universe, England fans are currently in the process of pinning their colours to the Three Lions' mast ahead of the World Cup. The flags are flying in the street, the replica shirts are being worn and there is a collective feeling - amongst fans, journalists and players alike - that this year will finally be our year.
But that's in a parallel universe. For in England, there appears to be a sense of apathy surrounding the 2014 showpiece in Brazil. Roy Hodgson's men have been playing well in recent friendlies but it doesn't matter; England falter on the big stage. A quarter-final exit on penalties would be an achievement. Some would say getting out of the group would suffice.
A young squad, led by an out-of-form Wayne Rooney, is short on tournament experience and lacks the punch to truly scare the likes of group opponents Italy and Uruguay. Or so it appears.
For this is the most exciting time to be an England fan since the breakthrough of the 'Golden Generation'. Throughout the 23-man squad, there is pace, there is vision and, above all, there is the genuine promise of excitement.
In 2010, following a near-flawless qualifying campaign, Fabio Capello opted for the conservative choices. He took Emile Heskey to South Africa, persuaded Jamie Carragher to come out of retirement and overlooked Theo Walcott. England were subsequently humiliated, winning just once – against Slovenia – despite being drawn in a group described as 'easy' by one tabloid newspaper.
Roy Hodgson appears to have learned from his predecessor's mistakes. Raheem Sterling, who John Barnes labelled the "best attacking player in England", has been included and looks set to shine in Brazil. Ditto Ross Barkley, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Daniel Sturridge, too, heads to the World Cup in sublime form and will lead the line, having scored 25 goals in all competitions in 2013-14 and truly established himself as one of the deadliest strikers in European football. And he heads to the World Cup ready to take on a new challenge.
None of the aforementioned six have any experience of playing on football's biggest stage which, for many countries, would give them a major disadvantage. For England it is quite the opposite.
These players didn't have to suffer the ignominy of the 4-1 defeat to Germany, nor the heartbreak of a penalty shootout defeat to Portugal. They were not on the pitch that blisteringly hot day in Shizuoka in 2002, and they have not had to fly home ashen-faced following yet another failure.
Goal.com
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