The England Head Coach feels that the victory over Argentina has caused everyone to take notice. "Many managers came to me at the draw and said ‘Goodness, that’s good football, beating Argentina," he said. 

"I’m sure it sent out a message. Absolutely. And to ourselves as well as to everyone else. For sure we have the best team since I came to this country, there’s no doubt about that."

Sven clearly believes England have made great strides in his four-and-a-half years in charge of the national team and when asked which players in his squad would strike fear into the opposition he ran through virtually the entire teamsheet.

He said: "I think if you look at the players we have who make other countries jealous you can take the two centre-halves, whoever they will be, they are very, very good.

"I think our left-back Ashley Cole is second to none. Gary Neville, he can sell experience at this level of international football.

"Then if you talk about three of four midfielders they are big stars all of them, Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham. If they are in good condition in a World Cup you know you have a good team.

"Up front you have the new star, which is Wayne Rooney. And you have the old star, who is only 25, in Michael Owen. So it’s a good team. And we have Joe Cole, getting better and better as well."

He said: "I think when we have everyone available there’s a balance in the team. We are good attacking and we are good defending. I think we don’t have any weak points.

"Technically I believe we have been improving over the last five years. But the quality of the players we have is very, very good. Those players could play in any team in the world, in any club in the world.

"The quality is there, absolutely and we believe in ourselves, too. I think over the years with this group of players they are less concerned about who the opponent is. Today they are very confident. They think we can win it."