Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden believes Englandâs young guns can be as good as the âGolden Generationâ as he eyes Euro 2020.
The 18-year-old will be handed his England Under-21 debut against Andorra on Thursday or against Scotland on Tuesday.
The Young Lions need a point from their final two Group Four games to qualify for Euro 2019.
Englandâs latest young crop of talent has been dubbed the new âGolden Generationâ after the David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard era â although they failed to meet expectations.
The age groups have won the Under-17 World Cup, Under-20 World Cup and the Toulon Tournament for three straight years.
And Foden believes the current crop of talent can become individually as good as the past stars.
He said: âYeah, definitely. We have got a lot of quality in the team and Jadon (Sancho) is an example. If you are playing well, he (Gareth Southgate) will give you a chance and he isnât scared to call you up no matter what your age.
âIt is exciting times for England with all these exciting kids coming through and the great thing is Gareth isnât afraid to give us a chance. Itâs good.
âHopefully in the future we can win the World Cup. I think it is really good and it is going well.â
Foden has made five appearances for City this season as he tries to make an impression under Pep Guardiola.
He will be under consideration for Euro 2019, should the under-21s qualify as expected, but admits Euro 2020 remains an aim.
âYeah, definitely. Iâm hoping so. If it doesnât happen, I will just keep working hard,â he said.
âHopefully the time will come but that is what I am aiming for.â
England Under-21s host Andorra in Chesterfield on Thursday which is exactly a year since Foden scored in England Under-17sâ 3-2 group stage win over Mexico at the World Cup.
He also scored twice in the final as England beat Spain 5-2 to lift the trophy as well as being named player of the tournament.
Foden added: âItâs gone fast since then. Iâll always look back on it, great memories â it was obviously a special moment to win a World Cup but now I want to win it for higher ages and keep doing it.â