Kevin De Bruyne has claimed Pep Guardiola’s light training regime will help him shine for Belgium in the World Cup.
And the Manchester City star insisted England’s Group G rivals are the best in history and potential winners in Russia.
Roberto Martinez’s side will play only one friendly against Saudi Arabia in Brussels next week.
And De Bruyne, who has already made 47 appearances for club and country this season, said: “It is very good we have only one match and several days off.
“It is important to have enough rest. Believe me: for the players at the top clubs, it is very important. If we reach the second round of the World Cup, I would have played from July 2017 till July 2018. Without stopping.
“Happily, Pep Guardiola is a coach who realises the workload of his players. From time to time, he gives us several days off. And a very light training programme.
“Since the start of the season, we have often had recovery sessions of 30-45 minutes. The most important thing will be to be fresh at the start of the World Cup. I hope that will be the case but I cannot promise anything.”
England face Belgium in the final game of Group G on June 28.
“We have not yet started joking about this game in the Manchester City dressing room,” he said.
“The Belgians and English have to do one thing: win their first two games (against Panama and Tunisia). It would make things much simpler for this clash!”
He added: “This is the best team in the history of Belgium. There are several players over 30. This is the time to profit. Only by wanting the first prize can you win the first prize.”
Despite his outstanding season, De Bruyne insisted it is “impossible” to compare his performances to Lionel Messi.
“Our positions are so different,” said the Belgian.
“And he scores 10 times more than me. When I have scored 10 in a season, he has scored 100. But I have other jobs on the pitch.”
The former Chelsea star has been the victim of horror tackles from Dele Alli and Jason Puncheon this season. But says: “I don’t think about injuries.
“For now I have to do everything to win matches for my club. I don’t feel targeted by opponents.
“Tackles are part of football. I don’t cry when I am touched. I bite my tongue and get on with it. With or without pain. It is a contact sport. If the opponent is not trying to deliberately injure me, I accept it.”