The 66-year-old has warned people not to ‘write off’ his young squad as he visits Brazil ahead of the World Cup later this year.
In an in-depth interview with BBC Sport, England manager Roy Hodgson discussed his team’s prospects.
“I definitely don"t think that we are favourites to win the tournament but I also refuse to believe we need to be written off."
“If these players can achieve what we see them achieve sometimes, then we have a chance."
“I feel good. I"ve enjoyed working with the players over the last two years."
“I"ve every confidence in them. It is nice to see that there are a lot of good young players coming through."
“We are achieving a better balance between experience and youth. It"s going to be very good if we can marry those things together."
England narrowly qualified for Brazil 2014 as they finished one point ahead of Ukraine in their group, but Hodgson is pleased at the progress under his tenure.
England follow up their opening game against Italy in Manaus by playing Uruguay in São Paulo on 19 June and Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on 24 June.
“It would be very important [to win against Italy] and it would be a tremendous bonus if we can do that," said Hodgson.
“How you go about doing it is by trying to prepare the team as best you can so they are ready for the challenge."
“But there are no magical solutions. Wanting something is no guarantee of getting it but it all comes down to making certain that the team is well prepared for the task ahead of them."
“Equally important is that they realise how important that task is and how much it means to so many people and themselves," completed the ex-Liverpool manager.
