Aidy Boothroyd believes his England under-20 side contains players with the potential to reach the top.
The coach was speaking on Sunday after his side defeated Japan 5-1 in an international friendly at Manchester City’s Football Academy Stadium.
Boothroyd explained: “You have seen we have got the talent, but we won’t know how good the talent is until it is stretched.
“I think we are really strong and have some really good young players who are flourishing at their clubs.
“But they need to be playing whether at their clubs or out on loan to get experience of playing in the Football League or Premier League.”
Of the England side that faced Japan, Reece Oxford has this season been blooded into the Premier League by West Ham and Adam Armstrong who is a prolific goalscorer for Coventry City on loan from Newcastle United.
Boothroyd explained there are excellent players in all the junior age groups.
“This is a particularly good age group and we have some fabulous players,” he sid of the under-20 side.
Boothroyd admitted he is jealous of the clubs working with the players daily while he only has limited opportunities.
He added it is important to play nations from various continents which is why the friendly against Japan was organised.
“We try to arrange games against countries from South America, Africa and Asia to give the players a taste of different styles and they are good exercises,” he explained.