World Cup 2018: Belgium boss Roberto Martinez reckons English players are more ‘tactically aware’ than ever
Spaniard believes St George’s Park has played its part in development of Three Lions players at age-group levels
ROBERTO MARTINEZ has hailed English football’s “evolution” - and believes our players are more “tactically aware” than ever before.
The Belgium boss admits he has seen an incredible transformation in our game since he first managed in the Premier League with Wigan in 2009.
And Martinez, who first came to England as a player in 1995, believes the FA’s national football centre, St George’s Park, has played a major role.
Ahead of Belgium’s Group G clash with England on Thursday, the Spaniard said: “I think it's been a huge evolution in England.
“When I started in the Premier League in 2009 it was a real contrast in styles in the league.
“But I think the English players have developed an incredible awareness from a tactical point of view.
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“That's been the biggest difference in the last five or six years.
“Having St George’s Park, having a real structure in the way England teams play, you've seen the success with the Under-17 teams, and the Under-20s, the way there is a winning culture.
“I would say in the last six years the English players have now got that intensity and pace, but also that real tactical awareness that is brought by the way teams are playing in the Premier League.”
Martinez also thinks his own Belgium stars have massively improved by playing in England.
Of his 23-man World Cup squad, 12 of his players ply their trade in the Premier League.
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And Martinez added: “In the Premier League and the British game, the entertaining factor is what happens as soon as you lose the ball and as soon as you regain possession.
“The transition game is something unique in the British game.
“We know how technically gifted our players were.
“But having to work under those high-intensity ways of play has made our players think quicker, make stronger decisions and be sharper technically.
“I think our players have evolved because of that intensity in their play.”