Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has accused England's youngsters of lacking the hunger to succeed at international level.
The Young Lions crashed out of the U21 Euro 2015 championship on Wednesday night following a 3-1 defeat against Italy in Olomouc.
It is the third finals in a row from which England Under-21s have now failed to progress beyond the group stage, and Lawrenson believes that inflated wages have had a big say in recent failures.
"The moment these lads show any innate ability they get too much money too early I'm afraid," he told BBC Sport. "Before these kids hit the money trail, they want it absolutely. The problem is as soon as they get their first deal, unless they have been brought up properly to respect things like that, they have no chance.
"Look at Raheem Sterling at Liverpool. He is the perfect example of getting it wrong. He has decided he doesn't want to play for Liverpool. He said it is not about the money. Why would he want to leave Liverpool? Only the season before last they nearly won the league. What is that about? Where is he getting that advice from?
"The problem for clubs is if you don't pay £25,000-£30,000 a week, or whatever it is, somebody else will pay it. It is very difficult how you can stop it. You are relying on young players to have been brought up properly by their mothers and fathers, to invest in themselves in terms of training, staying behind, practice, practice, practice."
Gareth Southgate has vowed to stay on as boss of the Under-21s, despite his side taking just three points from their three group games.
