Gareth Southgate thinks that many of England's past superstars would walk into their current starting XI.
England are set to play their 1000th international against Montenegro in a Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday and many former players have been invited along.
Per talkSPORT, Southgate told The Sun that he believes many of these past stars would find a way into his plans.
"Most of them would get into the team we have now, that's for certain.
Advert
"I played with some of the greats in the last 25 years.
"If you look at Beckham, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney and Gazza it was hard enough to get four into a midfield at that time, without going through generations of players.
"It was a privilege to play with some outstanding players."
The 49-year-old believes that claims 'The Golden Generation' between 2004 and 2010 didn't achieve much wasn't due to lack of trying.
"When people say 'they didn't achieve', when you're in the dressing room with them and you're with them for weeks away, I knew what it meant to all of them to play for England and to represent England on those big nights.
Advert
"Although it didn't happen, it wasn't because they didn't want it, it was just that, for various reasons which we've talked about over the years, it didn't.
"But, you don't get 60, 70, 80 caps by pulling out of squads."
Southgate also says that he's changed the culture of the England dressing rooms by reducing the number of withdrawals from the squad.
England squads of yesteryear were often marred by frequent withdrawals which limited the time they played and trained together.
Advert
"When I started, I felt a lot of players were pulling out of squads.
"That wasn't the case years ago and I don't think it's the case now."
England will have to do without star winger Raheem Sterling for Thursday night after an altercation with teammate Joe Gomez.
Sterling had a confrontation with Gomez in the closing stages of Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Man City on Sunday afternoon.
And tensions have spilled over into international duty as Sterling has now been axed from the Montenegro game.
Advert
The English FA said in a statement on Monday evening: "We can confirm Raheem Sterling will not be considered for England's Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro as a result of a disturbance in a private team area at St George's Park today.
"He will remain with the squad."
According to the Daily Mirror, Sterling allegedly provoked a reaction from his fellow England teammate and a witness reportedly heard him ask the 22-year-old if he was 'still the big man.'
Advert
The Liverpool centre-back refused to engage in an all-out confrontation with Sterling, but he was stunned at the way his teammate behaved.
Sterling apologised to Gomez after the bust-up at St George's Park.
It will be interesting to see how England line up without the winger.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Frank Lampard, Football News, Football, Euro 2020, David Beckham, England, Gareth Southgate, Wayne Rooney
