Bayern Munich's interest in Callum Hudson-Odoi proves England's future is in good hands, according to former Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth. Chelsea youngster Hudson-Odoi is yet to start a Premier League game this season, but was the subject of several big-money offers from Bundesliga champions Bayern in January. Hudson-Odoi has impressed when given the chance in domestic cup competitions and the Europa League and that has been enough to earn a first national team call up for England's upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro, while Jadon Sancho – who has starred at Borussia Dortmund this term – is also in Gareth Southgate's squad. And Ashworth, who left his role at the FA to join Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion, believes foreign interest in England's youth players bodes well for the future. "The standard of young player coming through now, compared to when I started in youth development 20-something years ago, is chalk and cheese," Ashworth told the Telegraph.  "There's a massive difference. If our players are playing at the top end, the top leagues, for top clubs such as Dortmund, it means other nations are looking at our players and recognising the talent that is in the system [and] they are getting big-match experiences, and big games.  "These are some big-hitters like Bayern after some young English talent and that can only be good for the English game. It means we are producing players and people that others find attractive." Joining Hudson-Odoi for his first international call up is West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who has been drafted into Southgate's squad after switching allegiance to England from the Republic of Ireland, who he played for at youth level as well as making three friendly appearances for the first team. And though acknowledging that England cannot expect talented players of dual nationality to represent them, Ashworth insists the FA should have no concerns in attempting to recruit players also eligible for other countries. "A lot of people have a lot of different ties, emotions," Ashworth said. "We have 75 under-15s on our radar, our 'long list', and 55 have dual or more nationality. "That gives us a bigger and better pool of players to pick from, but it also brings words of warning to governing bodies and national associations, don't assume they are locked into your particular nation because, like in club land, there might be more suitors looking. "You look at other sports and countries, and you want to recruit from the biggest pool you possibly can. Every other nation is using those rules to expand their pool of players. Why isn't England?"

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has pointed to the Reds' recent overcoming of setbacks in recent matches as a testament to the club's growth as the club continues to challenge at home and abroad. Jurgen Klopp's side went a goal down early on against Burnley at Anfield earlier in March, but rallied from behind to finish 4-2, while a James Milner penalty was required to seal all three points in their latest outing against Fulham. And while many could be forgiven for raising doubts over Liverpool's consistency and desire, Alexander-Arnold feels that getting over those hurdles is mere proof that he and his team-mates are becoming stronger each season. “Definitely,” the full-back responded when asked if setbacks no longer faze the club. “A few years ago we might have only won one of those games, we wouldn't have got the three points. “But we're showing how much we're growing and how good a team we're becoming. [Fulham] is a tough place to come and at the business end of the season it's important to get wins – especially when you get tested and concede a goal. “These are the ones that maybe go unnoticed during the season but they're vitally important for us. We'll probably look back at the end of the season and think that – whatever the outcome may be – that this game was important for us.” Liverpool also took in a Champions League clash with Bayern between their latest two Premier League match-ups, and Alexander-Arnold spoke of the physical and mental difficulties of a gruelling fixture list. “The full week was tough,” he said. “We went down at home to Burnley, it was tough going to Bayern and then conceding a late equaliser at Fulham was tough. Mentall we've been put through a lot of tests this week but we've come out with three wins and that's all you can ask for from the lads. “We're a force to be reckoned with.” Liverpool return to action after the international break with a tough match against Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham at Anfield on March 31.

James Rodriguez expects Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to open talks over a permanent transfer after his hat-trick inspired the Bundesliga champions to a 6-0 win over Mainz. Bayern bounced back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool in style on Sunday, returning to the top of the Bundesliga after Borussia Dortmund had beaten Hertha Berlin a day earlier. With Robert Lewandowski opening the scoring early on, James put Bayern further ahead before rounding off his hat-trick in the second half – Kingsley Coman and Alphonso Davies also getting on the scoresheet for Niko Kovac's side. Reports in Spain had suggested that James – whose two-year loan from Madrid is due to expire at the end of the season – would not be extending his stay in Munich, but the Colombia playmaker revealed his wishes to stay at Bayern. "Nobody knows what the future brings," James told Sport1. "The clubs will hold talks. "I'm very happy and I feel comfortable here. Kovac is a good coach, I am sure we can still win many titles with him." Bayern have now won 13 of their last 14 Bundesliga matches and Kovac was thrilled with his side's spirited response to their Champions League disappointment. "That we are first again, that makes us happy. There was a lot of width today, a lot of spirit, lots of good actions," Kovac told a news conference. "We had a very good start. That's important after the disappointing match on Wednesday, that the team showed such a good reaction. "We could shake the disappointment off together. We can go into the international break calm now, and hope that everyone comes back healthy." The Bavarian giants are level on points with Dortmund at the top, though lead on goal difference, with a crunch clash against their title rivals coming up on April 6.

James Rodriguez scored three goals for Bayern Munich against Mainz on Sunday, netting his first hat-trick since 2011 when he helped Porto to victory over Vitoria Guimaraes. The Bavarian club completed a 6-0 victory to move top of the Bundesliga after Borussia Dortmund had beaten Hertha Berlin 3-2 on Saturday. James has had a difficult spell at Bayern this season, acting as a bit-part player in the early stages of the season before suffering knee ligament damage in November. And despite enjoying a more regular starting role in recent weeks, speculation around the Colombia international's future has continued. He is in the second year of a two-season loan deal from Real Madrid, and although Bayern have an option to buy the playmaker for €42 million (£36m/$48m) this summer, James reportedly does not want to continue his tenure at the club.  That speculation continues despite James insisting he did not want to cut his loan deal short last December: “If I have to go because of lacking play time, then I will. But I would like to stay because I really feel the love of the fans and the whole Bayern family.” And Bayern boss Niko Kovac insisted there was still a place for the 27-year-old at Allianz Arena back in January: "I know he's a top player, I know what he can do," Kovac told reporters. "He's shown that not just here but at other big clubs. I expect top performances from him, just like I do any other player. "We finished the first half of the season strongly, and competition for places is fierce, as is always the case. Now it's down to him to show he deserves a place in the team again." James' performance against Mainz should cement his place in the starting line-up for the time being, and another player to impress was January signing Alphonso Davies. Davies became the second-youngest Bayern goalscorer ever at 18 years, four months and 15 days when he found the net in the 70th minute, beaten only by Roque Santa Cruz who scored at 18 years and 12 days.

James Rodriguez scored his first Bayern Munich hat-trick as Niko Kovac's side reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga with a 6-0 home thrashing of Mainz that showcased the effervescent attacking that was lacking in their Champions League exit to Liverpool. Borussia Dortmund leapfrogged Bayern with a 3-2 win at Hertha Berlin on Saturday, earned thanks to a late goal from captain Marco Reus, but the champions responded with their 13th win in their last 14 Bundesliga matches. First-half goals from Robert Lewandowski, James and Kingsley Coman set up a crushing victory that sends Bayern above Dortmund on goal difference, with the leaders set to meet in a potential title decider on April 6 at the Allianz Arena. James netted twice more after the break to claim the match ball before Alphonso Davies recorded his first Bundesliga goal, the champions having scored 17 times in their last three league games. Bayern made a blistering start and led inside three minutes, Lewandowski steering home a near-post volley from David Alaba's left-wing cross. The early onslaught continued with Coman rattling the crossbar and James forcing an excellent save from goalkeeper Florian Muller with a powerful low drive. Bayern's inevitable second goal arrived in the 33rd minute, Joshua Kimmich's ball into the box chested down superbly by Leon Goretzka with James sliding home a fine finish. And it was 3-0 before the break, Mainz losing the ball on halfway with Goretzka sending Coman clear, the winger cutting inside off the left to whip a superb strike across the helpless Muller. Mainz could not stem the tide after the interval either, James finding the bottom-left corner with a curling 20-yard effort in the 51st minute before then securing his treble with a sublime chip. Bayern made it back-to-back 6-0 home wins in the league by completing the scoring in the 70th minute. Muller denied Lewandowski but he was unable to stop teenager Davies smashing in the rebound. What a moment for the 18-year-old #MiaSanMia #FCBM05 pic.twitter.com/FeBXmNN8av — FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) March 17, 2019 What does it mean? Bayern ruthless and relentless As poor as Bayern were against Liverpool in midweek, they were excellent in establishing a 3-0 first-half lead that was not remotely flattering and they did not let up after the break. Bayern have won six in a row at home in the league, conceding just twice in that run, form which makes Dortmund's task in next month's clash look tough. Mainz, meanwhile, have lost six of their last seven league games and Sandro Schwarz's side are not yet safe. James runs the show Performances like this from James make it a mystery why Bayern are yet to confirm they will definitely trigger their purchase option at the end of his two-year loan from Real Madrid.  The gulf in class between James and Mainz was vast and the Colombia international, who scored his first hat-trick since 2011, is becoming an increasingly key piece of the puzzle for Kovac. Hack error hands James match ball Mainz were already heading for a heavy defeat but, when Alexander Hack lost the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, James was left with a simple task to complete his hat-trick. What's next? Bayern are away to Freiburg when the Bundesliga returns after the international break on March 30. On the same day, Mainz hope to break their bad run when they travel to Werder Bremen.