FIFA World Cup: Sweden criticise England's 'slow' defence as mind games ramp up

John Stones and the other England centre backs have not been put under much pressure in possession, says Swedish scout Tom Prahl. Photo / Getty Images

Sweden are planning to target England's inexperienced back three after openly questioning their skill on the ball and claiming they have not been properly tested in possession during this tournament.

Sweden's 69-year-old scout Tom Prahl is regarded as something of a tactical genius in his homeland following league titles with both Malmo and Halmstads and, after a 40 year managerial career, is now advising the national team and drawing up dossiers on their opponents.

He was asked after Sweden's training session yesterday about England's defence and immediately claimed Gareth Southgate's three centre backs - Kyle Walker, John Stones and Harry Maguire - were less effective than several other European nations at quickly passing the ball.

"They are not so very skilled when it comes to moving the ball, compared to southern Europe," said Prahl. "They have not been put under that much pressure so far; the opponents have stayed back and let them stand there and pass the ball. So they've been given the opportunity to move it nice and slow. The question is: Will they get problems if we put some pressure on them? And what will happen with our game if we do? We will get the answers during the game."

Although Sweden's two strikers, Marcus Berg and Ola Toivonen, have struggled for goals and may lack technical quality, they are extremely industrious and it appears that the plan is to press and defend from the front.

Prahl's comments about the passing skills of the England players were directed yesterday at England wing back Kieran Trippier.

"The formation we play, allowing our centre backs to come out and play, we know what we're doing," said Tripper. "I haven't got an issue with those comments, we just need to focus on ourselves, play like we do, and in my eyes, we can hurt anyone.

"We need to analyse Sweden as much as possible in a short period of time, then just go out there and enjoy ourselves like we have been doing and play with freedom."

Prahl also said he was happier for Sweden to be facing England than Colombia because he knows much more about their game. He had spent six months drawing up the master-plan that saw them win a group containing Mexico and Germany.

Prahl believed English football is changing from its previously more direct approach but will still specifically urge Sweden to be prepared for the team's threat from set-pieces. Of Harry Kane's six tournament goals, three have come from penalties following corners and two from corners.

"England isn't just long balls forward and kick and rush, but much more influenced by the rest of Europe. They keep a lot of players centrally and use a back three, but they also have much more method to their build-up. They've also kept their more traditional attributes, with toughness and physicality. They've scored six out of their nine goals on set plays, so we're aware of that."

AIK midfielder Sebastian Larsson is again available for Sweden after missing the last 16 win against Switzerland through suspension and there was also more positive news for Albin Ekdal after he completed a full training session following a foot injury.

Larsson, Sweden's vice-captain who became a renowned dead-ball specialist during his 14 years in England at Arsenal, Hull City, Birmingham and Sunderland, is particularly excited to be playing against a country in which he lived for so long.

Now 33, Larsson has noticed how England have been making less off-field headlines than some of their predecessors but still believes they will be under intense pressure.

"It will be special, something extra," he said. "They have been laying a bit low now, compared to previous tournaments. It has been working out well for them but I know how it works over there. Now they expect to at least advance past us. It is a pressure they will have to carry. If they would lose against Sweden, it would be tough for them, I think."

Sweden are in their first World Cup quarter-final since 1994 and, having seen the team unexpectedly improve since his international retirement in 2016, Zlatan Ibrahimovic predicted mental strength would be decisive.

"Now there are a lot of emotions - the team that can handle their feelings best will have an advantage," said Ibrahimovic.