Shaun Wright-Phillips says Premier League title race not over and reveals England hope

In the second part of an exclusive interview with Ladbrokes Fanzone, former Manchester City, Chelsea and QPR winger Shaun Wright-Phillips discussed the Premier League title race and England’s chances of winning a major tournament.

Villa dark horses for top-four finish

Obviously, I think City will win the title, but I don’t think it will be that cut and dried. Liverpool seem to have picked up form again after bolstering their midfield. Arsenal are always going to be in the run-in especially after that performance last season.

I think we have to give a lot of respect to Spurs with what Ange Postecoglou is doing at the minute. They are playing really well and scoring goals.

Outside of that though, I think Aston Villa are going to make it difficult for a lot of teams.

They have turned Villa Park back into a fortress. They are always going to score and rack up wins at home and they just need to keep picking up results away from home now, too.

Obviously, they are juggling Europe as well but with Unai Emery playing a different team in Europe to the one in the Premier League, they should have the longevity to keep it going…if they can maintain that. They are my dark horse for a top-four finish.

Representing England was career high

My career highlight was representing my country. Obviously wining the Premier League and FA Cup are massive and something you always want to achieve as a kid, but representing England among the elite is something you strive for once you have made it.

I am quite a laid-back person so when I got the call-up, the excitement was more with my brothers, mum, and dad. My mind was just focused on showing them what I am made of.

My last year and a half a QPR was my lowlight – off and on the pitch. I didn’t perform the way I should have when I came back from the operation.

At the same time, there were stories coming out that I was only there for the money, so that got to me. I didn’t read the papers, but it was people saying it to me. Anyone who knows me, knew that was not the case.

England can end major trophy drought

I 100% think England have a chance of winning a World Cup or the Euros in the near future. Just look at the players we have out there, especially with the attacking bunch.

We have some of the best attacking players in the world. Look at the way James Maddison and Phil Foden are playing, with Harry Kane scoring, and behind that we have Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish. The list goes on.

Jude Bellingham is doing amazing things, and there is still another young crop coming through. Cole Palmer is playing really well for Chelsea now. We have a fantastic chance at the next tournament – it is now a case of getting over the line.

Three Lions should fear no-one

I have an attacking mindset, and I think the attackers should be a lot freer to do what they need to do. They played all right in stages against Italy on the last international break.

I think it will be tough if we can’t do that consistently through the game in the next tournament. Once you qualify it gets even harder, but we just need to go after games. With the players we have, we shouldn’t be frightened of anybody.