Rio, Crouchy and Joe Cole on the Three Lions: WORLD CUP ROUNDTABLE

In this episode of High Performance we sit down with England football legends Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch & Joe Cole to preview the World Cup.
We explore what it’s really like pulling on an England shirt.
The differences between their generation and the current England team and how the lack of structure and leadership in their tactics and team affected results.
Rio, Peter and Joe reflect on the beginning of their England careers, discussing the privilege of such an amazing achievement and the pressure that comes along with it.
The media portrayed them as the ‘Golden Generation’, they explore what went wrong and why the label was, ultimately, damaging.
The boys express how they feel about the upcoming World Cup and their fundamental trust in Gareth Southgate.
It's more than a conversation about football, it's really about developing winning cultures.
Thanks to Joe, Rio and Peter for being so open with us.
Let us know what you think of the episode in the comments! 🙏
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#highperformancepodcast #rioferdinand #joecole #petercrouch #footballworldcup2022 #englandfootball

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

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[@TheBoneyard1978]

Loved Joe Cole as a player, love him as a pundit. Just a genuine guy.

[@Smilejustsmilebby]

Lets be fair all the ex england players do us proud and are fairly likeable, decent banter dont take themselves too seriously etc. Quintessential English

[@Gcalt]

@@Smilejustsmilebby I have bessesrssn so s s s SSS sess ss the world do EE EE EE EE EE EEE dept

[@Filzzy]

Crouchie is such a down to earth likeable dude

[@tinyspeaker]

Comments like this epitomise why punditry is so, so bad in the UK.

[@BL4CK0UT17]

Listening as a Welsh fan. Always supported England when Wales were not playing. Always wanted them to win something and still do. Love seeing my Country in the World Cup, but us Welsh, a lot of us grew up watching and supporting English clubs. Personally, I hate other countries slating the England team or the Prem. Hoping England(if not Wales) win this World Cup to show the other counties 💪🏼

[@davidcross884]

R.I.P. Gary Speed. I'm 1/2 English, 1/2 Welsh. He will always remain my Hero. PS. I'm Leeds and I'm proud.

[@davidcross884]

He rebuilt the Welsh squad, gave them the belief. R.I.P. Speedo 😪

[@BL4CK0UT17]

@@davidcross884 can’t believe we lost to Iran mind 😫

[@ethanmccormack9561]

As an Englishman I can say the Welsh should be proud of their boys and ok yes the Welsh team didnt get out of the group stages but they are now consistently qualifying for international competitions and the future of Welsh football looks very bright and will only get better.

[@elliemarie68]

If you support England as a Welsh person something wrong that’s like me wanting cardiff to do well as I’m a swansea fan no chance rivalry. Come on France 🇫🇷

[@richardhorrocks1460]

Southgate is our most important manager ever. In 50 years time, people will look back at his reign and see it as a turning point.

[@Allwin-lz6yj]

of winning nothing?

[@MarkFarm]

@@Allwin-lz6yj And YOU are the sort that holds back football in England at International level. You fail to see what Southgate has actually done, on aand OFF the field since he's been around. Of course he'll make some mistakes, but he's gotten more things right than wrong, and has also set England up to be able to progress further in the future. Pity that you can't see it, understand it or aknowledge it.

[@mattweight402]

Would be interesting to hear from former opposition players about what they made of previous england teams at world cups/euros.

[@bigc181]

Yes! Would love to hear this

[@ChazTB]

Getting English players to have conversations with former teammates who played against them internationally like Rio with Evra or Lamps with Ballack, Gerrard with Reina or Milner with David Silva would work well

[@Benjamin3.5]

prob thought they were pushovers

[@Plasticjesus504]

That would be fascinating. Great idea.

[@chingbilling662]

29:00 Spain: "Vamos!!" Italy: "Vinceremo!" England: "Why are we in a huddle?"

[@leemiguel3437]

Good chemistry here. Enjoyed this. Used to love watching Joe play and always felt he was about to do something amazing. Crouchy had no right being as good as he was when you look at him, and what a nice bloke. More of these please.

[@johnferguson4869]

Great chat, thanks. Always loved when Joe Cole & Peter Crouch played for England. Crouchie should have had at least one more tournament.

[@salfetka]

It's great discussing England and our golden genesation. A whole podcast to this is well deserved.

[@roodborstkalf9664]

I agree with Joe Cole. England would have had a real chance to become world champions in 2006 en 2010 if they had better coaches. They had five or six world class players. That is enough to become world champion.

[@chinksey-MEDIA]

No chance the other teams in and around them were better i.e brazil italy france in 2006. plus spain were way better than england in 2010

[@winmugaru6347]

England has never had players with individual technical ability like Messi, Ronaldinho, Ozil, Robben, Van persie, xavi, ineista, villa, England was no where near many teams then. They relied on tactical approach too much and didn't have the players with the skill to make the difference. The England team now has players who can dribble face goal ,take on defenders like Saka, Bellingham, Kane, foden, mount, sterling

[@Pokjhbvcf]

@@chinksey-MEDIA our teams in 2002 and 2004 were filthy

[@jameswinnard2097]

@@chinksey-MEDIA I agree people talk about our golden generation of 2002 to 2006 but when you look at that brazil sqaud and France squad they were filthy as well and then Spain from 08 to 2012 was the best team I've seen in a long time

[@Enzoblueblood]

No. The England team was stacked with talent 06, less so, 2010, but they didn’t have enough pace, balance and strength in depth. And their difference maker, Rooney, was usually injured - 04, 06, 2010. The failure wasn’t all on Sven or Fabio

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Thanks to Rio, Peter and Joe for a really enjoyable conversation! 💪 Let us know what you thought in the comments! Do you think England have what it takes to win? 🏆

[@privatecoachingchannel4818]

I think Rio and Crouchy hit the nail on the head about trusting the defence. Top teams will leave defenders 2 on 2 when they attack. I think we have to be more like that. You can’t say we don’t have the defenders, and we don’t even have to do it all of the time. But when needed Southgate needs to let off the shackles, do it and trust that we will win 3-2 or 4-2. Great episode and some brilliant insights 👍

[@oswaldjames5332]

I expressed that opinion two months ago online and got "shouted down"!😄. These joqueros keep forgetting I predicted Liverpool 4-0 vs Barca AND Tottenham 3-3 vs Ajax.😄😎

[@ShayKane64]

Really enjoyed this, great insight. As an Irish man I’d be neutral, Personally I think Brazil will win it however England are very capable and would seem to be a natural progression after being semi-finalists and finalists it the last two major tournaments. Love the pod, great content as always

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Thank you!

[@oswaldjames5332]

WOW!!! Really Loved this. So Many Salient Points made by All the contributors! Gotta watch again and share. Go England! Got You for at least a Quarter Final Spot! 💕from Guyana,S.A,

[@deadlymantis4210]

Cole NAILED it...... We were tactically inept for a long long time.

[@TomBartram-b1c]

Rio was a great servant for us but never had that "moment" that we watch and rewatch on KZbin 100s of times. Joe, you brag away my friend.

[@lukecartwright613]

This is so insightful to hear their pespective! It would be helpful to hear from the other side and hearing from the previous managers. And what they thought they were adding to the camp which didn't seem to work

[@bagpussmacfarlan9008]

I think Joe Cole made the most sense throughout...the whole tactical side of previous England teams makes so much sense. For all Southgate's faults, he deserves so much credit...maybe someone else could take them up one more level, maybe not..

[@VladGolgotha]

Some great thoughts by Joe Cole, if only I knew Some of the mentality thoughts he mentioned, back when I was playing football in semi pro-ish level, maybe I would've went more further in my career because a lot of it is in the head , mental blocks. Young talented footballers need to see this podcast, thank you

[@OfficialFingazMC]

How has this only just come on my recommended!!

[@ollie1178]

Joe is spot on. Brazil are the best nation ever because of their style being so free and fluid. Players gel in that enviroment, linking up with eachother in tight spaces and arriving in spaces instead of occupying them. Even nowadays premier league clubs struggle due to being too rigid and it makes them a very boring, slow watch. Football philosophy in England being identified by determination and persistence etc is a reason for it.

[@christopherwood3283]

If you’re doing a football podcast, know your onions especially if you’re preparing a question. Mourinho was at inter Milan until the 2010 World Cup. He won the 2010 CL with them!

[@filmc1999]

Great content. I always loved Joe Cole as a footballer. Always wanted him at Utd.

[@Tigerland1962]

what a great insight these players have when given freedom and maturity

[@footballaipredictions]

Enjoyed listening to this at work earlier. Defo a fan of the round table concept also.

[@aarongrimes2350]

I love the way Rio speaks, "i didn't give a uh uh hell about that" that fuq nearly slipped out but he rescued it 😂

[@traffordsec4322]

It never failed to surprise me how wooden England players looked compared to their club performances where Arsenal, Chelsea, United and Liverpool were regularly going deep in the Champions League and making it look easy.

[@Esi153]

This was so insightful. It makes sense that they didn’t perform well when the culture was so oppressive . As they say, the fish rots from the head. On another note, Peter Crouch has great comedic timing.

[@SI-lb9xx]

What a brilliantly interesting and insightful hour.

[@RumoRXBOX]

Just stumbled across this channel! Very easy listen to help me get through my work day! Keep it up boys

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

thank you Sean!

[@Drenwickification]

Just found this podcast recently and love it. Good job guys. Would love to see you get Angela Cullen on it. She has been such a big part of Lewis Hamilton’s career and I think it would be fascinating to hear from her.

[@HighPerformancePodcast]

Very interesting idea, thanks for the suggestion!

[@rjflores438]

United won the 2008 Champions League with 6 Englishmen in their starting lineup. They had Scholes, Hargreaves and Carrick in their midfield, all English. However England still couldnt qualify for Euro 2008, its down to the coaching.

[@mrgoodcat899]

Loved this, big up ma man Rio! 🙏🏻

[@cedric7936]

I like when England is so confident. Good for France. Mbappe is listening...

[@mikey4483]

A whole hours discussion, when it seems very simple… they had the wrong managers. Great listen! Thanks

[@P.M.C.44]

That was briliant thankyou, liked again and subbed ages ago :D

[@cristidobo83]

Great podcast , don’t know how this channel got only 100k subs

[@Jpwpsl]

Brilliant episode

[@davidcollins2044]

Tbh I would of loved to see Rio in front of the defense the way he was calm on the ball and getting it up the pitch he would of been even better

[@purplehaze2342]

Englands current squad attacking wise has an immense depth of talent which should be used to its fullest to counteract our defensive insecurities.

[@datageek9132]

They where competing against a lot of great players like Zidane, Ronaldhino, Figo, Henry, Kaka, Buffon, Pirlo, Ballack, Gattuso, Viera, Cannavaro, Ronaldo, C Ronaldo, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Nedved. I don't think England where that good back then. Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Phoden and Saka are a lot better than the golden generation.

[@minnielee3399]

5:50 Correction. Euro96, France98 not Euro98!!

[@xfoolsgoldx]

Excellent conversation 👌

[@cjdigital968]

This podcast is golden!

[@whatthe4913]

Love to hear an honest one from the previous england managers, hoddle etc.. thought🤔

[@konzaros7482]

brilliant conversation and insight. There was always huge expectation on Gerrard and Rooney i felt, the fringe players like Joe and Peter were never as harshly treated, Gerrard was always harshly treated, he scored more world cup goals than frank,paul and wayne combined.

[@qs5523]

As soon as Southgate faces a “ top “ nation he reverts to caution and 5 at the back Which means 2 midfielders against the oppositions 3/4 mids Leaving the creative players too much to do

[@writewayacademics]

Hi can you bring Phil Jones to the podcast one i feel there is a lot people can learn from his story and also how has he dealt wih depression or the pressure of not playing for man utd all those years what about the injuries how did they change his life,What are his inspirations in future in regards to taking up a career job or even becoming a punidt? James From Kenya.

[@gamingclipsfmlambert]

Am hooked 🤯🤩🤩🤩🤯

[@InspirationalMagic]

19:20 ish…J Cole has it perfectly. Things are better but not yet at the level they should be

[@mikerotch4974]

The rivalry at club level definitely had a massive impact on that golden generation of England players not winning anything.

[@JurgenKranz]

Great and insightful conversation. Such a shame these players were so poorly coached with England.

[@doubledigital_]

great stuff

[@GilbertTV]

you've got a new sub.. top content 😎

[@justinengland9814]

There is pressure on footballers... But they are paid millions of pounds & fans have a right to cheer or boo! I agree, no one should be 'personal' with the players or anyone!

[@strictlyp532]

Other teams in those tournaments were amazing - agreed. But Rio, JT and Ashley Cole at the back is ridiculous, Scholes, Lamps, Gerrard, Becks in midfield is filthy and prime Rooney up front. It would be a fair argument to say at least 5/6 of those players make up and all time Prem XI. That needs more than a group stage exit or 1/4 appearance.

[@BrockLove-mb2cc]

very late but this is amazing content. Crouchy prefers to play NESTA over GARY CAHILL!!

[@LUFC123]

Joe cole makes his own words up

[@warchild4974]

Their right though, these lads are playing like friends and not rival clubs trying to best each-other

[@paulbrown6233]

"We'd go to like Moldova, and come off sweating, thinking Jesus"

[@ziphomdluli]

The echo 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@jccornista2749]

England has another good chance to become The Champs this 2022 World Cup.

[@richrenegadeuk]

Bea good night out with crouchy, rio and joe

[@djheny.g2118]

Dem man are cold for not correcting Rio @5:51

[@abiliojaribu1061]

Rio doesn't come across like a nice guy. Seems to enjoy slyly putting people down .

[@leeriding4144]

Can’t believe Rio went to euro 98 in England 😂😂

[@justtheon5903]

👀👀

[@stevengallagher635]

Diluded! Iran were through on goal a few times, you'll be taken to the cleaners by better teams. McGuire is still at the heart of the defense and he is even worse than previous tournaments

[@EggBoxingFactoryManager]

Deluded***, how's Ireland doing?

[@stevengallagher635]

@@EggBoxingFactoryManager You should have used one asterisk only to correct my spelling and it should have been used at the start of the word. Every day is a school day Jord.

[@ryanbutterworth1845]

Cole Terry Ferdinand Neville Scholes Gerrard Lampard Beckham Owen Rooney And never got past a QF Always interesting to hear them talk about the “Golden Generation “

[@sledgehammer858]

I feel like this is the first time I've seen this side of Jake's face

[@allockhart9947]

I saw jake, Joe, rio, crouch and who I thought was Robbie keane

[@jamesjordan8518]

Haha ‘Euro 98’ sorry you missed out everyone else was at the World Cup that year

[@SUPAFLYUKassociates]

Rio's excuse why England didn't do well in their era is a lame excuse. Blaming the media!? Truth is, we just wasn't good enough compared to the other nations at the time, over hyping our "Golden Generation" Either that or they were all just a bunch of bad egos 🤷🏽 Whenever I hear the term "Golden Generation" I think of the Euro 96 team. This current England team is on course to eclipse what we've seen over the last 30 plus years #COE ❤⚽️

[@harrywadley6561]

Got 10 Mins in to this and can’t listen any more sort the echo out

[@xIl7avantlIx]

Still tactically Inept. Players still overated. France's pace will have that fragile defence falling part. Southgate will brick it. But yeah you've a good friendly team spirit. England are only now playing they way they are expected and english pundits were dreaming off during thier 'golden generation' that won nothing. Euro's was a wierd abberhation. Still a Q-F team.

[@Liam25025]

Come on anyone except England. We can fuckinh do this

[@dondamon4669]

They act like they are discussing the workings of the universe these two interviewers 😂

[@philipryan3709]

I wonder if Garrett Southgate is a proud English man 🤔

[@ElectricSoulShow]

ENGLAND HAS GOT IT EASY ...CAN YOU IMAGINE TEAMS LIKE BRAZIL, GERMANY, ITALY, FRANCE AND ARGENTINA IN BEING EXPECTED TO WIN THE WORLD CUP EVERY 4 YEARS,

[@jameslock9275]

Rio can’t use the media as a excuse ffs

[@jagdeepsingh9938]

Through this podcast, you can see why the Golden Generation failed. Constantly blaming everything and everyone around them. In the end, they were simply too weak mentally. Joe Cole did raise some good points though.

[@kimbirch1202]

If an England manager cannot keep hhe squad happy, then he has failed.

[@SkillsofAesthetics]

13:47 typical english response on what wetn wrong on the flop generation. Yeah like its managers fault only not that the players got outclassed on every occasion. If they were soo world class as joe says then what it didnt seem so.

[@richuk69]

Blaming everyone else except themselves how's about admitting we didn't perform on the biggest stages

[@tessa7582]

Imagine all these ex players praising GarethSouthgate for getting the team together and get to g us to a final and semi final. Compared to the genius never played football England fans saying he is no good🥴

[@nishaansingh490]

Rio ruining joe Cole’s story 😂🤣

[@HdHd-cg4nz]

Then joe brought up john

[@danielwieland3782]

The audio is brutal, unlistenable! Not High Performance!

[@dfir2570]

Premier League wasn't the top league when these guys played. Lots of excuses, contradictions and revisionism. They weren't as good as they thought they were simple as. The current team is more humble and far more talented.

[@peterhelmore2766]

why is it that OLD players have to say why they dd not win ????

[@PazLeBon]

Just hahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha :)

[@frozen1762]

Nothing was wrong, they simply were not good enough to win it. Some great players, but a lot of teams had some great players, and they also did not win it, there is just one first place.

[@rule-of-thumb]

Your team will never have the love, respect, admiration, and togetherness that the Wales team have with their people, the red wall. Because they are the people. Even if you win the world cup ever 4years. Disjointed players,, disjointed country FC, that's what you are. That is your past, present, and future. Don't blame me, look at you own media first

[@davidcross884]

I agree on the Media angle, But if Wales are so proud, WTF are Swansea and Cardiff doing in the ENGLISH Leagues? Traitors to your Nation. 😆 Loser🖕

[@davidcross884]

P.S. RIP Gary Speed. Top Man, Top player, Top manager. He made the Welsh squad what they are today. #MentalHealthMatters The invisible illness that continues to be unseen. Be Proud of Him. He will always be a Legend

[@danstaification]

The level of delusion of English football fans is unreal. England have not had a world class team capable of winning a World Cup in decades. It’s baffling that every four years we all gather around to pretend like this. You never see other subpar teams doing this.

[@redkop510]

lol...always fun to return to stuff like this😂...England can win my ar#e..😂

[@richardhorrocks1460]

It's not easy to win a World Cup. Messi hasn't. Ronaldo hasn't. So it's perfectly possible that Sterling doesn't too. If we lose to a better team then fair enough.

[@elbeekb4331]

Its not like u played only one tournament... u guys had around a decade to learn from ur mistakes but didn't... it seems like u guys were just a little overrated and not good enough to compete with the players of other countries of ur time..

[@paulstocker4527]

Deluded about how great all these players are but never won nothing. Not even close.

[@EightFrancs]

A legitimate organisation that is trying to help construction workers in Qatar is... Equidem ................................ It would be good to try and help the mistreated workers who built the stadiums and hotels.

[@professorcrik]

Everything has 'reversed'. Wait till the iron is hot and then attack

[@jk12114]

Im having less and less of this "Golden generation" patter, more like Golden shower ! They were peesh !

[@MikeOxlong12]

"How quickly does it go from wanting to play for England to wanting to win for England"? What an absolute knobhead question

[@dondamon4669]

Beckham was the problem