Lukas Podolski has claimed Gareth Southgate has dropped England’s old “rugby style” but still believes the true test will be whether or not his team can beat their tournament nerves.

Former Arsenal striker Podolski scored the only goal in his last-ever appearance for Germany to secure a 1-0 victory over Southgate’s England in Dortmund.

But World Cup winner Podolski, who made 130 appearances for Germany, believes there were plenty of encouraging signs for England as they prepare for next year’s World Cup in Russia.

“England have a good team, a good manager, they play a different style to before,” said Podolski, “Before it was a like a rugby style. They were physical, but they play more football now. They have a good team, good guys, good characters.”

England beat Germany 3-2 in a friendly last year before flopping at Euro 2016 and Podolski added: “I will watch England, as well as Germany, in the World Cup to see how they play. When they go to a tournament they are always nervous, they always play too much under pressure.”