Roberto Martinez has backed England to perform strongly at the World Cup in Russia.
Gareth Southgate has selected the third-youngest squad for the 2018 tournament, including uncapped teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold.
England’s 23-man travelling party are lacking in World Cup experience with just 11 finals appearances among them, but Belgium manager Martinez expects their Group G rivals to impress on the global stage.
“I always followed England very closely,” the former Everton boss told ‘Omnisport’.
“They are a group of players that now, with the good work of Gareth Southgate, have brought a group of young players he knew very well from his involvement with the under 21s.”
“And then he’s kept a really good mixture and has given the English team a real clear direction of players playing in a certain way that has allowed them to compete against the best in the world.
“So, I expect England to do really well at the World Cup.”