Harry Maguire says England are a better team now than when they reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.
Maguire was part of an England team that made a run to the last four of the tournament in Russia.
Buoyed by a first World Cup shootout win, hopes were high a 52-year wait for a major trophy may be about to come to end.
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Those dreams intensified thanks to Kieran Trippier’s early free-kick against Croatia in the semi-final at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Ivan Perisic’s 68th equaliser pricked the bubble before English hearts were broken in extra time by Mario Mandzukic.
However, the Manchester United defender says memories of that loss are the fuel that will propel Gareth Southgate’s side to future glories.
Speaking ahead of the World Cup qualifier with Albania, Maguire said the experience in Russia plus the extended time spent under Southgate had brought the squad closer together.
“I think over the three years we’ve developed, we’ve worked more tactically, the experience of the big tournament, the highs and the lows,” said the Manchester United centre-half.
“We’ve got to take that experience into the coming tournaments. I’m sure that will help us. Of course as a player and as a team three years is a long time to develop and we have developed in a positive way.”
That positivity has been enhanced by a fearless group of youngsters, with Southgate not afraid to blood England’s young guns.
Reece James and Mason Mount both started in the win over San Marino, while Phil Foden and 17-year-old Jude Bellingham were introduced in the second half.
And Manchester City midfielder Foden could be handed another chance to impress against Albania, with Southgate highlighting his qualities.
Southgate added: “He’s just a very good player; very exciting, a player who is intelligent in his positioning. He has skills to receive the ball under pressure and take players out of the game with his tight control.
“He has a lovely range of passing. And what’s most important is he has a real eye for goal and a hunger to score.”
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