England players are attempting to improve their togetherness by setting up an international WhatsApp group.
The messaging group was set up by the FA to inform players of the national team's schedules but has now turned into a platform for discussion between players while at their clubs.
The group has been devised largely to encourage communication between players who are rivals at club level, and also to ensure the players remain in touch between the November and March internationals.
England captain Jordan Henderson said: “After November you don’t get to see them till March and when you look at how many times you actually train together, it isn’t a lot to the World Cup. We’ve spoken together as a squad and the target is to be the No 1 team in the world, however long it takes, we don’t know.
“We’ve not performed in the last few tournaments I’ve been to, definitely, and a lot more before that. The mentality has to change.
"We’ve spoken in meetings about how far we want to go with each other, how far we want to get to know each other, not only on a football level but deeper than that. We are a close group and everybody’s opinion can be expressed and everybody takes [things] on board."
On Wayne Rooney's international retirement, he added: “I was a little bit surprised by Wayne’s decision because of how good he is and how hungry he is to play football. I could see that watching him against [Manchester] City, he was outstanding, and the impact he has on the lads, how good a captain he was
“Everyone has to say thanks for what he has done because he has been unbelievable for England. Hopefully he can keep doing what he is doing for Everton, because he has been brilliant when he has been there — but not too good!”
