- England are preparing for a major tournament at Euro 2024 this summer
- Pundit Rio Ferdinand has picked who he thinks should be in Southgate’s front six
- Will Harry Kane regret joining Bayern Munich? The Bundesliga champions looked shattered in Leverkusen – Listen to the It all starts podcast
Rio Ferdinand has named his favorite six players for England at the 2024 European Championship as the big tournament approaches this summer.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate will have to make some big calls for his England squad as they prepare to fly to Germany at the end of the current season in search of their first piece of silverware since 1966.
There has been much discussion about England’s formation and which players should get the nod to give the team the best chance of success – and former England and Man United defender Ferdinand has lined up his best six players up front. the field.
Ferdinand, who worked as a pundit for TNT’s Champions League coverage of Man City’s 3-1 win against FC Copenhagen, was asked for his opinion on the best attacking formation after Phil Foden scored City’s third goal in stoppage time.
His first two choices on the right wing and up front were simple and surprised no one.
Rio Ferdinand has revealed who his favorite six players would be for England at the 2024 European Championship
The pundit remained concerned about a ‘tough’ selection on the left between Grealish and Rashford
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“(Bukayo) Saka right, (Harry) Kane up front,” he began – before his selections became trickier, he added. ‘The left is a tough man. (Jack) Grealish is injured now. (Marcus) Rashford was out of form.’
He was prompted to answer by fellow former Three Lion Joleon Lescott, who asked him to judge whether everyone was fit.
Ferdinand replied: ‘If everyone is fit and flying, Rashford will play for me on the left.’
Lescott agreed with his selection of the front three, adding: “Yes, I would go for that. I don’t think there is a bad choice. I think everyone thinks you can be wrong and says, “If you choose him, you don’t judge the other person.” I don’t think that’s the case. I think there’s so much talent out there.’
Ferdinand believes Marcus Rashford (L) should get the nod over Jack Grealish (R) on the left
England head to Germany this summer hoping to lift their first trophy since 1966
Manager Gareth Southgate faces a huge decision over his squad, but Ferdinand has urged him to go with his own front six
Ferdinand was then asked who he would have in the number 10 role if England played a 4-2-3-1 formation.
“I’d have Foden there,” he said – on the back of his impressive performance for City.
He also agreed with Lescott on a central midfield combination of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice behind Foden, with the ex-Everton man saying the trio would ‘work it out between them’.
Ferdinand then pleaded with Southgate to ensure he chooses the same front six when he is asked to name his final squad later this summer.
“If Gareth needs help deciding that I’m here, I’ll do a Zoom call, I’ll even drop by your house and that’s your front six, please!”
England’s preparations will continue next month with friendlies against Brazil and Belgium – before two pre-European Championship warm-up matches against Boznia and Iceland.
They kick off their Euro campaign against Serbia on June 16, before completing the group against Denmark and Slovenia.
