LONDON, Oct 11: Young English players appear to have fallen out of love with playing for the national team and lack the technical skills of continental rivals, former France international Patrick Vieira said on Wednesday.

The new English national training centre at St George’s Park and an academy being built by Manchester City should help England to produce more talented young players, added Vieira, who is Football Development Executive at English champions City.

“In England, I really don’t understand how come so many young players from the age of 16-21 pull out of the national team for injury,” said Vieira.

“I think it’s maybe the lack of FA (Football Association) power, I would say. Maybe this is as well a lack of love for the national team,” he added.—Reuters