Rio Ferdinand blasts Gareth Southgate for making two England choices.
Rio Ferdinand has criticized two of Gareth Southgate's England selection decisions, as the Three Lions manager continues to seek the right defensive formula.
Rio Ferdinand has questioned England manager Gareth Southgate's decision to overlook defensive duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fikayo Tomori. The pair were left out of the squad to face Germany at Wembley on Monday night, as the Three Lions looked to snap a five-game losing streak. Many have urged Southgate to reshape his squad as England seeks a winning formula, but the manager has largely stuck with his tried-and-true options.
Alexander-Arnold has long been a standout performer for his club, Liverpool, albeit in a system that compensates for his defensive shortcomings. On the international stage, however, he has been in and out of the squad, never establishing himself as a starter in what is a competitive sport. Nonetheless, Ferdinand was amused by Alexander-omission, Arnold's insisting that Southgate's selection lacks conviction. On his Vibe with Five podcast, he stated: "Trent isn't in the England squad? What exactly is going on here? It's not going to happen. I'm not sure how he hasn't taken him. He's not even on the team. I don't get it; it's either 'I know what he is, he's brilliant, he'll play anyway,' or 'He ain't for me,' what is it?"
Ferdinand was also taken aback by the decision to overlook Tomori. England is not blessed with world-class center-halves, and Harry Maguire and John Stones do not start for their clubs. Meanwhile, Tomori won the Serie A championship with Last season, after leaving England for a new challenge in Italy, he joined AC Milan. "That's the concern that needs to be asked," Ferdinand added. I can't believe it; Tomori has won Serie A, is performing admirably as an integral member of that team, and is unable to make the squad. He won't even be able to make the team for the game.
"It's not like we're sitting here saying, 'By the way, we've got an unbelievable amount of centre-backs to choose from,' give him a go and have a look, see if he can do it."
Southgate has been accused of favoritism in the England squad, with certain players retained regardless of club form or minutes. "It just feels like for me Gareth Southgate starts to feel I know who's coming [to Qatar], I know who's playing and these ain't for me," Ferdinand said.
England used a back three against Germany, consisting of Maguire, Stones, and Eric Dier, with Reece James and Luke Shaw serving as wing-backs.
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