Roberto Martinez believes English football is destroying many of its best players before they even reach the professional game.

Spain’s victory and incredible football has prompted concerns that England will never catch up.

However, the Wigan manager, the Barclays Premier League’s only Spanish boss, feels the problem

is not the players but a system that does not ask enough of young players.

Slipped through the net: Jack Wilshere doesn't fit the mould Roberto Martinez believes is too commonly observed by top clubs

‘I hate it when people say  English players cannot be as technical as Spanish,’ he said. ‘The English

player is technical. It’s in the age of 18-21 we have to improve.’

Martinez believes there is still a problem with the way some youth coaches approach the game.

‘Iniesta and Xavi would never have made it six years ago in a British team,’ he said. ‘The first

selection is, “Not tall enough, not strong enough”. That’s not right.’