I cannot remember a time when our England youth teams were this good... now it is time we give these talented players their big break

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When I go to watch my youngest son play for Chelsea Under 9s, there are kids who can do things with the ball that I could not have dreamed of doing at that age. 

They have incredible technique, are taught to play with both feet and reap the rewards of training sessions which promote more touch-time on the ball. Coaching and facilities are much improved. 

I cannot remember a time when our England youth teams were this good. The Under 17s now face Spain in the World Cup final having lost on penalties to the same opponents in the Euro final. The Under 20s are world champions while our Under 21s have won the past two Toulon Tournaments. 

England reached the Under 17 World Cup final after beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals

With Rhian Brewster, Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden in this group, the talent pool is deep. You only have to look at Sancho’s move from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund to see that clubs in Europe are aware of our promising youngsters. 

So, if the players are there, why do they not get opportunities? Angel Gomes is the only player in the Under 17 squad with Premier League experience — a two-minute cameo for Manchester United on the final day of last season. 

We are only nine games into this campaign and already three managers — Frank de Boer, Craig Shakespeare and Ronald Koeman — have been sacked. With results and survival paramount, little wonder so few managers are prepared to give youngsters a chance. But I wrote earlier this week that Harry Winks will have learned more playing for Tottenham against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu and Liverpool at Wembley than in 46 games on loan in the Championship.

Rhian Brewster scored a hat-trick for England's Under 17 side in their semi-final clash in India 

We need more brave managers such as Mauricio Pochettino if we want to see our young English talent flourish. 

Regardless of the result, after this tournament England’s double hat-trick hero Brewster will walk back into Liverpool’s Melwood training ground feeling a million dollars. That’s how I felt when I returned to Liverpool in 1994 having captained England Under 21s to victory in Toulon. 

Now it is important Brewster keeps a level head. He and his England team-mates are entering a crucial stage of their development. Far too often, English clubs give players aged 16 to 19 ridiculous contracts that they have not earned. 

Clubs in Spain keep their young players grounded by paying them more sensible wages and that is a model we should follow.

The talent pool is deeper than it has been for years with the likes of Jadon Sancho (centre)