Former Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal defender William Gallas believes England are too mentally weak to perform well at the World Cup.

The Three Lions haven't made it past the quarter-finals since 1966, when they went on to claim their solitary final win.

"I don't say England because it is always the same problem with England," Gallas told Goal.

"They are not strong. They are not strong enough in the head. That's always a problem for them. I remember when we used to play against them and even in the European Championships in 2004, they had a strong, strong squad and they were leading 1-0, three minutes before the end of the game.

"But then we won 2-1, when I looked at that squad I thought 'my God'. Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ledley King, Steven Gerrard, for me they were unbelievable, but they didn't qualify I think for the quarter or semi-final. In the World Cup it was the same thing. This England have the same problem, they are not strong enough.

"Maybe [the shirt is too heavy]. Maybe they are also too young. They don't have a lot of experience. I don't know why it is so difficult for them to play in the national team. Maybe there is something wrong.

"I don't know if there's something wrong with the players, I would say maybe yes. But they also have to have the right manager."