I definitely agree that it is very difficult to gauge whether a competition is stronger or weaker than another year, not without a large helping of circular logic.
This world cup had been brilliant entertainment, but I don't think it has been strong at the top end, but almost all of the teams have been competitive.
High, aggressive pressing is very much de rigeur at the moment with the top sides, when done correctly it is very effective as you dominate shot creation, but it is very difficult to do effectively with a national side.
Different club sides have slightly different systems and pressing triggers, and these things have to be an instinctual reaction, if you have to think about it it is too late.
Many of the big nations were trying to play in that way, but on average pressing teams at the world cup were giving up significantly bigger quality chances than in the top leagues in Europe. I suspect this is because the teams aren't together long enough to get it to function correctly.
As such we have seen several of the top sides falter to weaker on paper opposition.
England are fortunate in that many of their top sides are all playing an aggressive pressing game, Liverpool, spurs and man city especially.