Conte predicts bright future for England after Under-17 World Cup win

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes the future is bright for the England national team after the country’s Under-17s claimed a remarkable World Cup win this weekend.

England battled back from 2-0 down to beat Spain 5-2 and earn another title to add to the nation’s earlier 2017 triumphs at the Under-20 World Cup and Under-19 European Championship.

The senior team has famously not won a World Cup since 1966, but Conte – who managed Italy before taking over the reins at Stamford Bridge – thinks the recent success of the junior teams could herald a change in fortunes for Gareth Southgate’s side.

“A big congratulations to the whole team because to win the World Cup with the national team means they are working really well,” Conte said.

“I think football in England is growing in an incredible way because it is not the only result for young players because under-19s and under-20s have won.

“It means 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.

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— England (@England) October 29, 2017

“I want to tell you this because I was a coach with the Italy national team and I think when you have this movement in front of 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 contributed five players – Marc Guehi, Jonathan Panzo, George McEachran, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Conor Gallagher – to the winning squad, which was more than any other Premier League side.