THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

Final glory would be an incredible achievement for these boys.. but BIG challenge will be making it in the Prem

ENGLAND’S kids have been told that the best way to become Premier League stars is to win the World Cup.

England Under-17s coach Steve Cooper says his young guns are relishing the pressure of a World Cup final against Spain today. They are bidding to become England’s second age-group champions following the World Cup triumph of the Under-20s in July. Cooper says the FA are nurturing a generation of kids who are ready to make “managers and chairmen take notice”. Even the most talented English youngsters find it tough to break into first teams at the highest level but Cooper believes that is going to change. “If we continue this way, more opportunities will be there for the players,” he said. “Managers and chairman will take note of the talent already within their club. “The long-term aim is to win World Cups and Euros at senior level. If these boys stay on the journey and continue playing how they’ve been playing we will have a chance of reaching the objectives of the senior team.” England’s kids will play in front of a 67,000 sell-out crowd in Kolkata, India, in 30C heat. But they coped with the pressure of the semi-final against Brazil and Cooper said: “There is pressure in a World Cup but elite sport always brings pressure.

“We are thriving on it. We know it is good for the short term and the long term and we are confident.”

England have scored 18 goals in six tournament games, conceding just four.

But they face a tough task against Spain, who beat them on penalties in the Euros final in Croatia earlier this year.

Cooper said: “We have got technically gifted players now in England. The academies and the England programme are producing technical footballers. You will see similarities between all the England teams at all levels.

Skipper Joel Latibeaudiere, of Manchester City, said: “We are confident and we know each other so well. We learned a lot from the Euro final and we will be ready.”

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez said it is always harder for English youngsters to become established stars because of the cash in the Premier League.

“It’s harder for English players to play because there is so much money in the Premier League and that attracts top foreign players,” he said.

“In Spain, many teams don’t have that much money and they play young players. And, because they have talent, they end up playing more minutes. But you have quality here and are physically able to compete and contest finals.”

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Benitez added: “I know that Spain have a good team. They have been there for a while.

“But now England have U-17s, U-20s, even U-21s, who are doing well. You can see that English players are growing and improving.”