England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst says there's three past teams which were superior to Gareth Southgate's current Three Lions side.
With his World Cup winners a class apart, Hurst, while impressed by England's run to the World Cup semifinals last summer, rates Sir Bobby Robson's Italia '90 heroes and the Terry Venables-led Euro 96 team as superior to the current lot.
Like Southgate's lads, Robson's team reach the World Cup semis - as did the 1996 Euros squad.
Asked if the current team could be compared with the '66 winners, Sir Geoff, who played over 400 games for West Ham United, told Tribalfootball.com on behalf of Grosvenorsport.com: "Well, not yet because of course we won it. So you can only make comparisons when a team is successful.
"You know the Italia 90 side was good and the 96 Euro's team was a very good team as well. They will be closer to it. The current side although they did well in the World Cup, I still think they would slightly below those first three teams I mentioned."
Sir Geoff remains the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, when England recorded a 4–2 victory over West Germany at the old Wembley Stadium in 1966. The 49-cap Three Lions striker admits there's a lot to be positive about the current team.
Asked about the strength of Southgate's squad, Sir Geoff believes the depth of talent promises something to look forward to.
"Well, a better group of players as a team in 96. I think what's very encouraging about the current team getting into a semifinal of a World Cup, which was a hell of an achievement because coming into the World Cup we weren't very hopeful because in the last couple of tournaments we have been very poor.
"I think what we saw coming from the tournament this year was the team, the team spirit, the teamwork, the camaraderie, how the team were managed.
"One or two players were very complimentary about Gareth Southgate and his staff - how they handled things. So that's very encouraging. And a slight surprise."
Watch the full interview below:
England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst is an ambassador for Grosvenorsport.com to support the 2018/19 Grosvenor Goals campaign.
Grosvenor Goals is the free-to-play game where, each week, entrants have the chance to win £1 million if their 10 chosen players are all first goal scorers.
The game will also offer £10k for anyone who predicts 10 anytime goal scorers from their selections, with a £10 free bet to those who successfully pick three or more first scorers each week.
England legend Sir Geoff Hurst will play his part too – if he selects four or more first goal scorers in a game week, all users who play Grosvenor Goals that week will win a £10 free bet. To keep up to date with Sir Geoff's picks every week, follow Grosvenor Sport on Twitter.
