Come a long way: Barry has progressed since the pain of World Cup defeat by Germany in June, 2010

‘But the more caps you win and the more you’re around it, I think the pressure grows. When you’ve been to a couple of tournaments you realise what the country expects, as I’ve found out. You see how things are magnified. It’s the same job but it can be a different atmosphere. In South
Africa we scrambled through the group playing badly but we were still expected to beat a German team who had played good football in the group games.

‘If we met them tomorrow, Germany would be the favourites. That’s the position we’re in. The expectation isn’t what it normally is, but that can help. Confidence will be high when you look at what City and Chelsea have achieved and the players will go there positive, thinking of lifting the trophy.

‘The first task is to impress the new manager. I feel as fit as ever. Winning trophies has made me more confident and relaxed and the experience of the World Cup will help.

‘All in all, I’m in a better place to play football for England.’

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