England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek insists his side have the ability and potential to become one of the best teams in the world under manager Gareth Southgate.

The Three Lions are still on a high after they finished fourth at the World Cup in Russia in the summer.

They have struggled against the big teams in recent weeks though, losing to Croatia, Belgium and Spain. The 2-1 defeat to Spain ensured they started their UEFA Nations League game with a loss but Loftus-Cheek is confident they can improve and start to prove their potential.

England are trying to become a possession-based team under the former Middlesbrough coach and Loftus-Cheek is excited for the future. “I think we definitely have that potential,” he said. “We have to have that belief to try and change things around.

“We are in this transition phase at the moment where we want to become one of the best teams in the world – up there with Spain, France and Germany. “We want to compete with them and dominate football.

We are in this transition phase where we want to have it mentally in our heads that we are one of the best teams in the world. “It is that belief to have the courage to play in tight areas and try and play football rather than just going long.

It takes time but we are working towards it.” England play Switzerland in a friendly on Tuesday night and they are 1.80 to win. The draw is 3.30, while the Swiss outfit are 4.50.