England kick off their 2022 World Cup campaign against Iran in just a few short days.

Gareth Southgate's side head to Qatar looking to end 56 years without a major international trophy for the Three Lions.

One of the hallmarks of the England squad under Southgate is how tightly-knit they seem as a squad.

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You only have to watch the social media videos of players reporting for international duty to get a sense of the bond within the group.

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However, it appears this hasn't always been the case.

Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor, who earned a total of 3 England caps under Fabio Capello between May 2008 and November 2009, recently spoke about his experiences with the national side on talkSPORT.

It's fair to say he wasn't a fan of his time in the England fold.

Agbonlahor was called up to play alongside many members of England's so-called 'Golden Generation'.

Although their best years as a team were likely behind them by the time Agbonlahor entered the fray, the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry – amongst others – were considered to be some of the finest players the country had ever produced.

Pep Guardiola would later claim that he 'couldn't understand' how England had failed to win a trophy while having so much talent at their disposal.

'We knew your our place' - Agbonlahor on the England dressing room

Despite being some of the biggest names in the game and having a wealth of experience to offer, Agbonlahor revealed that none of England's stars made an effort to welcome him – or those from less fashionable clubs – into the fold.

"When I got called into the England squad you had your Manchester United players all sat together. The same with Chelsea and Liverpool.

"Then you had your Middlesbrough, West Ham, Villa. We knew our place, the mid-table teams, on the end of the table in the canteen.

Gabby Agbonlahor in action for Aston Villa

TELFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Gabriel Agbonlahor of Aston Villa during the Pre-Season Friendly between AFC Telford United and Aston Villa at New Bucks Head Stadium on July 12, 2017 in Telford, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

"There was this big, long, table – and you'd never sit on the left hand side of the table where you had Rooney, Beckham, Rio [Ferdinand], Terry, Ashley Cole, Michael Carrick. You knew you couldn't sit there!"

The fragmented nature of the England dressing room at the time is something that Agbonlahor struggled with. He even went as far as to admit that he actively disliked going on England duty.

"I just didn't like it...Rio, JT, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard – these were elite players and you were sort of starstruck."

Video: Agbonlahor 'didn't like' going on England duty

Even former England captain Beckham liked to be left alone, according to Agbonlahor, with some players seemingly afraid to speak to him.

"David Beckham used to sit in the middle. He wouldn't speak to anyone. He had his diary and he'd just keep himself to himself.

"I remember Phil Jagielka asked him a question about the Milan derby and he literally closed his book in disgust and was like: 'Are you really asking me this?'

"He didn't want to talk to anyone. I said to Jagielka 'you're brave, you are, asking a question!'"

Arsenal scare everyone! (Via The Football Terrace)

The England set-up has clearly evolved over the years. Southgate's squad seem fully behind one another as the nation prepares for Qatar 2022.

Perhaps that sense of unity is partially responsible for the Three Lions having achieved no worse than a semi-final spot in their last two major tournaments – something that the 'Golden Generation' never managed.

It's never a good thing to have a sense of division in any squad. We'll never know if a more harmonious England side during Capello's reign would have been been able to deliver the glory that the nation has yearned so long for.