Pele believes more English players should go abroad

Pele believes England are counting the cost of their player pool being concentrated in the Premier League rather than cast across the world.

Does Pele have a point? Credit: Reuters

While Pele's native Brazil can call on players from most corners of the globe, elite English footballers are habitually stay-at-home professionals, with few exceptions in recent years.

It means England boss Roy Hodgson picks his side from players who have limited experience of overseas conditions, whether in terms of playing styles, climatic conditions or cultures.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Pele said:

The team is good. But to talk about the England team - it is very difficult you see when the England team plays outside (England).

The players who play in England, they don't have experience of playing abroad. There is not a player who used to play in Japan, or play in Africa, or play in South America.

I think this is one of the reasons when you have the big competition, the players they have a problem. I think this could be one of the problems.

– BRAZIL LEGEND PELE

England face Lithuania in Euro 2016 qualifying at Wembley on Friday, before tackling Italy four days later in a Turin friendly. Both games are live on ITV.