Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has unveiled his ideal starting lineup for England at Euro 2024, a choice that may surprise many.
As England, one of the tournament favorites, arrived in Germany for the group stage, they are set to face Serbia on Sunday.
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The team is eager to surpass their previous European Championship performance, where they were defeated by Italy in a tense penalty shootout at Wembley three years ago.
Despite a recent loss to Iceland, who were ranked 72nd globally, and facing selection dilemmas and injuries, England’s prospects remain strong.
Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are sidelined with injuries, while Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is dealing with a groin problem and is considered a fitness concern for the upcoming match against Serbia.
Nonetheless, with some of the world’s top attacking players at his disposal, Ferdinand is confident in England’s ability to secure their first major tournament victory in 58 years.
In a preview on the FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand suggested that Southgate should field an offensive lineup and recommended Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon as part of his preferred 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 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 can go beyond. I don’t want everyone going to the ball.’
Ferdinand has omitted Chelsea star Cole Palmer from his starting XI in order to make room for Gordon, who he feels is better suited to running beyond and stretching 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 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?’
