‘Is this fantasy football?’ – Rio Ferdinand’s ultra-attacking England XI for World Cup 2022 includes FOUR full-backs
RIO FERDINAND would ditch his defensive nature and go outrageously attacking if he was in charge of England at the World Cup.
The Manchester United legend played ten times at the most prestigious competition in football for the Three Lions.
The retired centre-back, 43, never managed to go all the way with his country at a tournament throughout his illustrious career.
But he seems pretty confident that if he was in charge instead of Gareth Southgate in Qatar then he would not be far off lifting the trophy with England’s current crop.
Ferdinand revealed what his best XI for the World Cup would be during the latest episode of Vibe with Five.
And his choice included a key role for Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Phil Foden as well as four full-backs.
READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
When asked what eleven he would go with, Ferdinand skipped his goalkeeper choice to get straight into the outfield positions – so for the sake of it we’ve assumed he would be happy to keep faith with Jordan Pickford.
Ferdinand, who also played for West Ham, Leeds and QPR, explained: “I’m gonna go three at the back as I think that’s our best chance.
“[Harry] Maguire on the left, Kyle Walker central and Reece James on the right.
“Trent [Alexander-Arnold] at right wing-back and [Luke] Shaw left wing-back.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“I’m gonna go Declan [Rice] and [Jude] Bellingham.
“Foden in the hole and then two strikers [Raheem] Sterling and [Harry] Kane.”
His co-host mocked the icon’s choice and described it as “fantasy football” and when pressed for an explanation, Ferdinand said: “Imagine that defence.
“Reece James coming out with the ball coming into midfield, because he can do that, he played midfield as a kid.
“Trent out on the right. Walker centre, he’s covering the whole backline on his own.
“My midfield, Declan, Jude and Foden dropping in as a No10 and coming back into midfield.
“Free role for Sterling, he can go where he wants, Kane holding the ball up and running behind.”
England, who face Ivory Coast tonight in their latest friendly, will discover who they will face in Qatar when the World Cup draw takes place later this week.