Declan Rice believes the "real connection" between England's players has been the key to their recent success after previous generations did not get along.

Rice has been an integral part of the England teams that reached the European Championship finals in both 2021 and 2024, as well as reaching the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup.

And he is likely to be key for Thomas Tuchel at his first international tournament this summer, with England facing Croatia, Panama and Ghana in Group L.

In the past, England had struggled to create chemistry in their camp, with former players Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard admitting they struggled to click with their rivals at club level.

But Rice insists the current crop of players do not have the same issue, having created strong bonds despite their club allegiances.

"Whether it's through social media or in real life, you can see that there's a real connection between us," Rice told British Vogue about his England team-mates.

"You obviously hear about the older generation talking about how they didn't get on and how they couldn't connect and play together.

"But I think with us, that's why, over the last few years with England, we've done so well, because we're close on and off the pitch.

"Grealo's [Jack Grealish] one of my best mates in football. We obviously all play against each other, but football's not like that any more.

"A lot of people have best friends from opposite teams, spend a lot of time with players from opposite teams.

"With England, we all get on. We always look forward to seeing each other. It's a nice getaway."

England are heading to the World Cup among the favourites to lift the trophy, which would end their 60-year wait for the trophy.

Their chances of winning are rated at 11% by the Opta supercomputer, with only Spain (16%) and France (13%) given a higher probability.

"It's going to be the most-watched football event of the last four years," Rice added.

"One minute you're going to be hated, one minute you're going to be loved. It always changes in football.

"You've just got to take it with a pinch of salt."

England will face New Zealand and Costa Rica in pre-tournament friendlies before kicking off their campaign against Croatia on June 17.