Former England international Michael Owen has admitted that he is "concerned" about the future of the national team.
This summer, both the England Under-21 and Under-20 sides crashed out of the European Championship and World Cup respectively, in the group stages.
Owen feels that this shows there is a lack of quality at all the age groups in the England set-up at the present.
He wrote on Sportlobster.com: "Of course, the obvious excuse is to say we were missing some of our best young players because they were with the Senior Squad.
"This was certainly the case but it's worrying that our Senior Team apparently needs them so much that our young National teams have to suffer in such a way.
"Excuses aside, the truth is that we're falling short of the level expected at present and I'm concerned about the future of all our National teams."
Owen made 89 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring 40 goals, in an international career spanning 10 years.
Simon Sinclair
