England should follow Germany's "astounding" example of producing young talent, according to Britain's Fifa vice-president Jim Boyce.
The Northern Irishman's comments followed Germany's 7-1 thrashing of Brazil in the World Cup semi-final with a side that contained several players of the team that won the 2009 European U21 Championships, trouncing England 4-0 in the final.
Greg Dyke's FA Commission is currently looking into what needs to be done to improve England's chances at major tournaments.
And Boyce, who is also head of UEFA's youth committee, says producing youth teams that can develop together to form the core of the senior national side should be harnessed by the Three Lions.
"The Brazil v Germany semi-final was astounding, the performance of the German team was something else," the 70-year-old said.
"But I have been chairman of UEFA's youth committee for many years and I have seen how the Germans have built up their policy.
"From that team many played at U19 level, then at U21 level and in fact won the 2009 European U21 Championships. Like the Belgians, the Germans decided they were starting on that policy and saw it through.
"I think England need to start doing something like that because the Germans are now reaping the benefits."
Germany's humbling of the host nation was just the latest highlight of a tournament which Boyce believes has been unrivalled in terms of quality.
"It has probably been the best World Cup ever," he added.
"We have seen some tremendous matches. There were a lot of worries before the tournament, security was a big concern, stadiums were a big concern, but in fairness it has gone a lot better than people expected.
"Brazil deserves an awful lot of credit because there was a lot of speculation there would be big problems."
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