Steven Gerrard believes that the FA needs to make St George's Park more welcoming if England are to progress in the international game.
England opened the St George's Park training centre in October 2012 at a cost of £105 million with a view to housing all 24 England teams, from junior to senior levels.
The 330-acre site boasts 11 outdoor pitches and was designed to be a centre of excellence for training coaches, sports medicine, sports science and psychology.
However, the former Liverpool captain believes that there is still plenty of work to do before England can consider itself among the best in world for development and that starts with ensuring players feel comfortable there.
"I think they need to add to it," he said in an interview conducted by ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand with BT Sport that will be broadcast on Wednesday at 10 p.m.
"I think it's got the basis of an unbelievable site but I think they need to make it a bit more realistic around it, they need to put a bit of a golf course in, they need to make it a little bit more friendly for the players because it's a top place to train and prepare but away from training pitch and the games it can be boring.
"So I think the FA need to look into adding to it and making it even better. But we need to create that atmosphere where England players are desperate to get away and do well."
Having retired from internationals in 2014, Gerrard also spoke about his 14-year association with England, insisting that the team needs to create a more welcoming atmosphere.
Asked if the rivalries between England players at club level had affected their performances for their country, he added: "Possibly, I felt like there were a couple of cliques there. I always feel with England it takes like six days for the team to connect.
"I feel like when you get to England you want to have your lunch and go to bed and keep away from everyone because there's a shyness. For me I think there needs to be an England atmosphere you turn up, it's almost like, you know each other, you want to be with each other."
"I look at foreign players in the Liverpool squad now and they pack their bag a week before and can't wait to get to their national team squads. And I think in England now it's like 'Oh, we're away for eight days' or 'I don't really know him' or 'I'm a bit shy and a bit quiet'."