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England will be very hard to beat, says Antonio Conte

VOLUNTARI, ROMANIA - OCTOBER 30: Callum Hudson-Odoi of England runs with the ball during the UEFA Under-17 EURO Qualifier between U17 Austria and U17 Engla
Image: Callum Hudson-Odoi was one of five Chelsea players in England U17's world cup winning squad

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte believes the success of England's youth teams will ultimately make the senior side "very difficult to beat".

England's victory over Spain on Saturday to win the Under-17 World Cup capped an incredible few months for England youngsters.

The Under-20s were also crowned world champions in June while the Under-19s won the European Championship a month later. The Under-21s just fell short losing to Germany in the semi-finals of their European Championship.

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England's U17s head coach Steve Cooper believes his side were 'worthy winners' after their comeback victory over Spain in India.

Reflecting on England's success, Conte said: "I think football in England is growing in an incredible way because it is not the only result the young players [have had]. The Under-19s won, the Under 20s have won and the Under-21s also played a really good European Cup.

Antonio Conte, Chelsea manager, applauds the home fans after the Premier League match against Watford
Image: Conte says football in England is growing in an 'incredible' way

"It means in England football is growing and improving a lot. I am sure that in the future the England national team, the first team, will be very difficult to beat.

"I want to tell you this because I was a coach with the Italy national team and I think, when you have this movement behind you, you can have a great possibility to have a strong team for the next World Cup and for the competitions for the national team.

Chelsea provided five of Steve Cooper's Under-17 World Cup winning squad in India; Marc Guehi, Jonathan Panzo, Conor Gallagher, George McEachran and Callum Hudson-Odoi, and that gave Conte particular satisfaction.

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BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21:  George McEachran of England and Lorenzo Gavioli of Italy challenge for the ball during the U16s International Fr
Image: Chelsea's George McEachran (L) was in India to help England win the U17s World Cup

"I am very happy for our five players," Conte added. "I am very happy for our academy because it means our academy is working very well.

"Against Everton, Ethan Ampadu played for the first time and he is only 17. Don't forget that my first appearance in my career in Serie A, I was only 16. I am the best person to give this type of possibility, if I see they deserve it."

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