By John Cross
Mirror Sport
Diego Simeone has claimed England have gone backwards under Kevin Keegan. Despite an encouraging England performance and a below-par display from Argentina at Wembley on Wednesday, hard-man Simeone insists Keegan's team were "inferior" to the Glenn Hoddle side he faced when the teams last met in France '98.
Simeone claimed that top nations have lost respect for England since Keegan took charge, that England are technically inferior compared to Hoddle's France '98 team and that they give the ball away so cheaply that it is "a crime".
And Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta rubbed salt into England's wounds by claiming their man of the match, Emile Heskey, was "nothing special."
Lazio star Simeone's verbal volley, however, will take the wind out of Keegan's sails after the England coach's optimism following the goalless draw. And the tirade is even harder to swallow coming from Simeone, the victim of David Beckham's retaliatory kick which got him sent off in France '98 before England lost on penalties.
While coach Keegan hailed England's performance, Simeone said it proved they will have no chance at this Summer's Euro 2000 finals.
Simeone said: "We have the greatest respect for English teams because of the way they play the game. But this England team is not as good as the one we faced in the World Cup in France."
"Technically they are very inferior to that team. This side does not treat the ball with enough respect. They give it away so easily and that is a crime at this level. I would not say they are a top international team yet."
Simeone's comments are a hurtful indicitment for Keegan, who himself admitted that Beckham gave the ball away too often."
