Rafa Benitez sees English youth finally catching Spain at Under 17 World Cup: 'Hopefully we can play all the finals'
- Rafa Benitez admits is has been easier for Spanish youngsters to flourish
- Youngsters in Benitez's homeland get more opportunities to play in big games
- However he believes English players are reaping the rewards of good facilities
Rafa Benitez will be watching the Under-17 World Cup final between England and Spain and believes his adopted homeland is ready to compete consistently on the international stage.
The Newcastle boss admits is has been easier for Spanish youngsters to flourish given the increased exposure they enjoy in La Liga.
But Benitez says English players have an advantage given what he believes are the best training facilities in Europe, and only now are the national teams seeing the reward.
Rafa Benitez will be watching the Under-17 World Cup final between England and Spain
'You have the facilities here, you always have had them. Even at Real Madrid we could only use the grass one day a week,' he said.
'But you were not competing for many reasons. It's harder for English players to play because there is so much money in the Premier League and you are attracting many foreign players.
'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. You can see that English players are growing and improving.
Rhian Brewsters goals helped England ease past a stunned Brazil in the World Cup semi final
'Hopefully you can stay at this level - and play Spain in all of the finals!'
Meanwhile, Benitez has distanced himself from reports suggesting he could be on Everton's shortlist to replace Ronald Koeman.
'I read in the press and heard people talking, but I am happy here,' he said.
'I am concentrating on this. The reality, obviously, is that my family is in Liverpool, but my past was with Liverpool (football club).
'Everton is a great club. I'm not saying I'm interested, I'm saying I'm happy here and want to concentrate on Newcastle and try to do my best here.'
Most watched Sport videos
- PSG and Dortmund fans put on a spectacle ahead of UCL clash
- Glen Davis says jail is the only way he'll stop eating hamburgers
- Dortmund boss Edin Terzic: It's a beautiful evening for the club
- Jason Kelce claims Secretariat were 'doping' in the 1970s
- Tackle moment on field that made NRL great Fatty Vautin infuriated
- Mbappe asked whether he will support Real Madrid tomorrow
- Jadon Sancho leads Dortmund stars in Adele rendition
- Bayern boss tells players to find their inner child at Bernabeu
- Madrid staff storm the pitch after Joselu's winner against Bayern
- Neville turns hand to modelling as the new face of Hawes & Curtis
- Olivia Dunne celebrates boyfriend Paul Skenes' Pirates call up
- PSG boss: 'It's a sad feeling' as side exits Champions League