As England prepare for their crucial knockout stage match, Manchester United’s young star Marcus Rashford has made a bold declaration: he’s ready and willing to step up for penalty duties if called upon. In an exclusive revelation to Jeetbuzz, the 20-year-old forward shared his confidence in handling the pressure of spot-kicks despite never taking one at senior level for club or country.
The Three Lions’ extensive penalty preparation has been a daily feature of their training sessions, with manager Gareth Southgate leaving no stone unturned in preparing for every eventuality. Rashford’s revelation comes at a critical moment as England face Colombia in what promises to be a tense encounter.
England’s Penalty Preparation Reaches New Levels
England’s history with penalty shootouts has been well-documented, with six defeats in seven attempts at major tournaments. This painful record has prompted Southgate to implement a comprehensive penalty preparation program that began back in March and has continued throughout their World Cup campaign in Russia.
Rashford emphasized the importance of this preparation, telling Jeetbuzz: “Colombia might not be talking about them but they’re definitely practicing. I think it’s stupid not to practice, especially at this stage of the tournament. It’s not chance. It’s never chance. It’s a skill and every skill takes time to learn it and to perfect it.”
The young forward’s confidence stems from his perfect record at youth level, though he acknowledges the senior stage presents different challenges. “It’s a simple skill but it’s about being able to perform it with pressure and everything around it,” he added.
Southgate’s Selection Dilemma and Rashford’s Role
While Rashford is expected to start on the bench against Colombia, his potential introduction during extra-time could prove crucial. The Manchester United star understands his role within the squad and maintains a professional attitude despite not being in the starting eleven.
“Every player will tell you that it is always frustrating when you don’t start,” Rashford admitted. “[But] if I know I’m improving to the player I was a year ago or six months ago then that’s good enough for me. It’s not about competing against other people. Ultimately you’re competing against yourself.”
Gareth Southgate has implemented rigorous penalty preparation since March
The Mental Aspect of Penalty Taking
Rashford‘s comments reveal the sophisticated approach England are taking toward penalty kicks. Rather than treating them as a lottery, the team is approaching them as a skill to be mastered – much like any other aspect of the game.
Former England goalkeeper David Seaman, speaking to Jeetbuzz, emphasized the psychological component: “What Rashford is describing is exactly the right mentality. Penalties aren’t about luck – they’re about preparation, technique, and mental strength. The fact that England are addressing this so thoroughly shows how much they’ve learned from past failures.”
The young forward also noted how goalkeepers study penalty takers, saying, “I know goalkeepers practice them a lot. They practice their skills to become perfect at it. It’s definitely not chance if you might or might not score.”
Rashford’s Development Amidst World Stage Attention
While French sensation Kylian Mbappe has captured headlines with his spectacular performances, Rashford remains focused on his own development path. The England international insists he doesn’t measure himself against other young talents, preferring to concentrate on his continuous improvement.
“At the level we’re playing at here, being in an England camp or whether it is at the club, you have to really understand that and you can almost take bits from other people’s game to try and bring your own game on,” Rashford explained.
His maturity extends to his club situation as well, where he understands Jose Mourinho’s selection decisions: “[Mourinho] has got 20-25 players in the squad and he has to pick the best team to play each game. He got it right most of the time last season but we need a bit extra to push for the title.”
Marcus Rashford Ready for Penalty Duty in England’s World Cup Quest
As England stands on the brink of their most important match in years, the revelation of Rashford’s willingness to take penalty responsibilities demonstrates the growing confidence within Southgate’s squad. The extensive preparation, combined with young players like Rashford embracing rather than fearing the pressure, suggests England may finally be turning the corner on their penalty shootout woes.
The Jeetbuzz analysis suggests that England’s methodical approach to penalties, combined with the confidence of young players like Rashford, could finally break the curse that has haunted them for decades. As the world watches, England’s new generation appears ready to rewrite history through preparation rather than hope.
What are your thoughts on England’s penalty preparation? Do you believe players like Rashford can handle the pressure? Share your views in the comments below and follow Jeetbuzz for more exclusive World Cup insights and analysis.
