Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says the current England squad is the best he's been involved with.
England will open their World Cup on Saturday against Italy.
"I think it is exciting," he said. "I think the younger players in the team bring a lot of energy and excitement and it is great to be a part of.
"I think, probably, it is the best squad of players I've been involved with since I've been with England.
"It is great to be a part of and I am looking forward to this tournament and the future with England - it certainly looks bright."
The squad is so good, in fact, that Rooney believes Italy, rather than England, should be the side worrying ahead of Saturday's encounter.
"Well, I think, really, the Italian players should be looking at us and how they can control our team," he said, ahead of facing the Group D favourites.
"We're not really too focused on Pirlo. He has been a fantastic player and Italy have got some great players, but we also have them.
"I think they should really be more worried about our team.
"I think we have [moved ahead of Italy]. The team we've got is, not just the team but the squad, is a youthful one, with a lot of energy and excitement.
"In terms of Italy, it is more or less the same squad so it will be an interesting game for us to see how we've moved on and how we've progressed in those two years."
