England’s players enjoyed an experience that they will never forget at the 2018 World Cup.

The tournament ended in disappointment, with defeats to Croatia and Belgium resulting in Gareth Southgate’s young lions finishing fourth, but huge strides were taken.

England finished bottom of their group at the 2014 World Cup. So to reach the semi-finals this time around represents progress.

Southgate selected a young squad - captain Harry Kane is just 24 - and there is optimism that these players will grow together in future tournaments.

It starts with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who enjoyed a fine outing in Russia.

The 24-year-old will always remember the save against Carlos Bacca in the shootout win over Colombia, as well as the world-class stops he made against Sweden.

England may have found their goalkeeper for the next decade. Even Germany legend Oliver Kahn is impressed.

Kahn discusses Jordan Pickford

Kahn, who won the Golden Ball at the 2002 World Cup, raised a concern about how England used Pickford, though.

In his eyes, Southgate failed to make the most of his technical ability.

“In addition to his strong reflexes, I especially noticed his excellent opening,” Kahn told Goal.

“In the semi-final against Croatia he played fewer passes than his counterpart Danijel Subasic, but was more than twice as often adapted by his teammates and used as a back-up defender.

"Pickford can use both feet and despite his lack of experience, for a long time he has been the first safe No.1 in the England goal.

“He also proves with his 1.85 metre height that the size of a goalkeeper only plays a minor role.

"But also for Pickford, as happens with so many goalkeepers, he is not used in the best way!

“The improved footwork of goalkeepers over the last 25 years has almost no influence on the game, unless they are also used accordingly as a goalkeeper and still get more involved in their team's possession.

"In my view, the involvement of the player who is currently least integrated into the game plan, but could be the most obvious and logical option to make a variety of game situations superior and create a clear advantage.

“Here I see the greatest potential."

Kahn is considered one of the finest goalkeepers in history.

There’s no question that Southgate will listen to what he has to say.