David Beckham believes there is greater competition than ever before in the England squad ahead of the World Cup finals next summer.
Fabio Capello has five matches left to fine tune his plans before the tournament gets under way in South Africa on June 11.
But Beckham admits a look around the England dressing room after its 3-0 home win over Belarus at Wembley spelt out to him the amount of talent Capello has at his disposal.
And the former Manchester United midfielder points to a willingness to improve amongst the players as a key factor in England's hopes of lifting major silverware for the first time since 1966.
Beckham said: "The qualifying campaign has been exceptional and all the players, who have played the majority of this campaign, have been exceptional."
"I would think the manager will be more than happy. We've qualified sometimes in the last game for tournaments but this time in every game every player was excellent."
"We've gone away to grounds where we've found it tough in the past, and performed and got the results."
"But it doesn't end there. We have to keep performing in every game we play leading up to the World Cup and every time we meet up."
Beckham added: "We have to be focused and ready. We've been exceptional but the good thing is when we've played exceptionally, we've worked hard - but also tried to rectify the mistakes we've made and to improve on the good parts of the game."
"That is the great thing about the squad. They want to carry on improving even though we are winning games."
Beckham added: "Is there more competition than ever before? Definitely. The manager wanted players from all squads he has selected to come down for the Belarus ground."
"When you looked around the changing room and saw the players, then you realise there is so much talent in the squad and so much talent waiting to come in the squad."
"There is massive competition in the squad for places and that's why we all know we have to perform when we do play."
Beckham was voted man of the match against Belarus after his appearance as a substitute during the second half.
He also came close to grabbing his first goal for his country at Wembley but shrugged off that unwanted statistic and insists his newly grown beard is remaining.
Beckham said: "It's not important that I haven't scored at Wembley. Of course, I'd love to score. I scored at the old Wembley with Manchester United so it is not important."
"As for the beard, it will stay. Everyone keeps telling me to cut it off so I am going to keep it for a while."
"I can't be bothered to shave. It is as simple as that. No reason behind it, no advertising campaign. That's it. Simple, I can't be bothered to shave."