Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has named his dream starting XI for England at Euro 2024 – and his team selection is likely to raise a few eyebrows.
The Three Lions – one of the big favourites for this summer’s tournament – touched down in Germany this evening and kick off their group-stage campaign against Serbia on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate’s men are looking to go one better after suffering heartbreak last time out in the European Championships, with Italy coming out on top in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout at Wembley three years ago.
But England were beaten by an Iceland side ranked 72 in the world in their final warm-up match on Friday night and Southgate is juggling several selection and injury headaches just days out from the opening contest.
Southgate stalwart Harry Maguire has been ruled out of the tournament due to a calf problem and Luke Shaw, a mainstay for England at left-back in recent years, is still battling his way back from a hamstring injury.
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, twice named the England Men’s Player of the Year, has been struggling with a groin issue and is a ‘fitness worry’ heading into this weekend’s Group C encounter.
However, Southgate undoubtedly has some of the finest attacking talent in world football at his disposal and Ferdinand is optimistic about England’s chances as Harry Kane and Co target a first win at a major tournament for the Three Lions in 58 years.
Previewing England’s campaign on the FIVE YouTube channel, the legendary ex-England and United centre-back encouraged Southgate to opt for an attacking side and included Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon in his favoured attack.
‘I’d play different in and out of possession. Out out of possession, I would play a back four when we’re defending. So I would go [Kyle] Walker, [John] Stones, [Marc] Guehi and Shaw if he’s fit,’ Ferdinand said.
‘And then I would go Declan [Rice] in front, this is when we’re defending, and then I’d have to two No.8s/No.10s, [Phil] Foden and [Jude] Bellingham.
‘But when we’re in possession, we’ll go to a back three: Walker, Guehi and Shaw and Stones would push in as one of the two pivots controlling the game and the two No.8s/No.10s in front of them will be Foden and Bellingham.
‘I want Foden to be more of a linker and I want Bellingham running on, I don’t want you coming to the ball, keep running on beyond Kane who is going to come deep as well.
‘Saka on the right and I’d start Gordon on the left because I want people that cango beyond. I don’t want everyone going to the ball.’
Ferdinand has omitted Chelsea sensation Cole Palmer from his starting XI in order to make room for Gordon, who he feels is better suited to running beyond and stretching opposition defences.
‘If Palmer starts in that team that I’ve started there, on the left, that’s another one that wants to come to the ball because he’s great, that’s his game, “Get me the ball and I’ll move!”‘ he added.
‘Foden wants to do that, Declan wants to get on the ball, Stones will be in there wanting to get on the ball, Kane wants to get on the ball, Saka wants to come to the ball and then run at people.
‘I need one at least who is going to get on it and run that way [forwards] and that’s why Bellingham needs to do that as well.’
Asked whether it’s too soon to start 19-year-old Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Ferdinand replied: ‘I think Mainoo plays a part in this tournament but I don’t start him initially and it’s the same with Trent [Alexander-Arnold].
‘One of those two could almost come in and take a shirt at some point maybe. But that’s the team I would start with.
‘Trent is ridiculous. I can’t talk highly enough about him with the ball, his passing range is like De Bruyne, it’s Beckham-esque, them levels, he can put the ball anywhere you want.
‘But right now has he played enough games in midfield? Has he been exposed to it enough?’
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