Nathan Holland says he and his England U17s team-mates are happy with their week's work in Cyprus – but they aim to keep on improving.
The Everton winger featured in all three of the Young Lions European Championship first-round qualifiers, helping them to top the group with a 100 per cent record.
After victories over the host nation and Macedonia, John Peacock's men finished their work with a 3-1 win over France.
"It's been a very good week, very successful," Holland told TheFA.com. "We've all done well and played our part, and definitely beating France in the last game to top the group left us all very happy.
"It's very exciting that we are through to the Elite Round. We just need to keep working hard now and improving. We are a good team and we could go far, but we need to keep pushing ourselves."
Holland lined up on the right flank for England, and each time he found himself in front of his Toffees team-mate James Yates.
James Yates has been a reassuring presence at right-back
The pair are building up quite an understanding for club and country, and Holland hopes it will continue.
"We have a good relationship and understand each other very well," he said. "Yatesy has a lot of pace and I trust him with that – I can always put the ball in behind and know that he will get to it. We always talk to each other."
And it is not only on the offensive Holland has impressed: he showed his defending capabilities in the dying moments of that French clash as he bravely blocked an effort with his stomach.
"It's definitely something I've been working on. John Peacock told us at the beginning of the week that he always wants us to perform our defensive duties, so we have been working hard.
“I'd love to go to one of those tournaments and have another chance to impress”
James Yates
England and Everton midfielder
"Against France, we all did that and it was a pleasing performance."
Before the Elite Round in March, the U17s travel to Florida later this month for the Nike International Tournament before heading to the Algarve Tournament in Portugal in February – and Holland is looking to use both to try and cement his spot in the starting line-up.
"I'd love to be selected to go to one of those tournaments and have another chance to impress," he added.
"I'm happy with what I've done here, but I want to keep kicking on and learning.
"You always need to keep going, and we need to step up again now and keep improving our game.
"We always give each other a lot of courage and hope, and we are started to evolve into a very good team."
