• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Rio Ferdinand names the shock player Gareth Southgate should turn to after England suffer major blow before Denmark clash

Home> Football> England

Published 16:31 19 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Rio Ferdinand names the shock player Gareth Southgate should turn to after England suffer major blow before Denmark clash

The former Manchester United defender has made a bold call for England's match against Denmark.

Ben McCrum

Ben McCrum

England's Euro 2024 campaign has started well, but Rio Ferdinand has called for a radical change at the back ahead of the the match against Denmark.

The 2024 European Championships got underway on Friday, with hosts Germany dominating Scotland in a 5-1 victory.

England are the favourites to win the tournament, after narrowly missing out at Euro 2020 where they lost the final to Italy in a penalty shootout.

Advert

The Three Lions started their Euro 2024 campaign perfectly on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet as they defeated a tricky Serbia 1-0.

Their next game comes on Thursday, as England will travel to Frankfurt Arena for a crucial tie against Denmark.

But, after Kieran Trippier was seen struggling with cramp in the second half of the Serbia match, England fans have been concerned with first choice left-back Luke Shaw also injured.

And former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand thinks he knows the solution, replacing Trippier with Bukayo Saka.

Speaking on Vibe with Five, he said: “If Shaw’s not fit then 100 per cent, we’re bang in trouble.

“We would have to put Saka at left-back. I’d play Saka at left-back then I would.

Advert

“If you ain’t got Shaw and you ain’t got Trippier then I would play Saka at left-back. I’d play it where as soon as we get possession, you’re [Saka] a left winger.”

Saka impressed the former England player, who believes the 22-year-old’s versatility offers an opportunity for England, who struggled in the second half of the match with Serbia.

Bukayo Saka started on the right wing for England's 1-0 victory over Serbia at Euro 2024 (Image: Getty)
Bukayo Saka started on the right wing for England's 1-0 victory over Serbia at Euro 2024 (Image: Getty)

He added: “Did you see how many times he stood up the full-back and destroyed him, like skinned him?

Advert

“I thought Saka was really good. First 45, the wing-play he showed… you know what I liked about it? He mixed it up. He didn’t always come inside. He went on the outside a couple of times.

“The defender didn’t know which way he was going to go but second half, when they put pressure on us, that was the problem. We didn’t respond well to that.”

Saka has started 22 matches for Arsenal as left-back but hasn’t played in the position in four years.

However, it is unlikely that he will be forced to play there again for England, after Southgate played down fears regarding Tripper’s injury post-match.

Advert

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated transfer news channel to send you the latest deals, rumours and more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: England, Euro 2024, Rio Ferdinand, Bukayo Saka, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw, Arsenal, Football

Ben McCrum
Ben McCrum

Ben is a sports journalist who specialises in football and MMA. He has written for publications such as Manchester Evening News, WiganToday, Manchester World and beIN Sports. Throughout his career he has interviewed top athletes in MMA including Tom Aspinall and Michael Bisping.

X

@benmcc14

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Football legend reveals he was on the verge of signing for Man Utd after idolising Old Trafford star for years

    The player represented the likes of Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan during his career but never got the chance to play for Manchester United.

    Football
  • England team news 'leaked' for Euro 2024 final as Gareth Southgate makes huge call
  • Rio Ferdinand didn't hesitate when naming England's most important player at Euro 2024
  • Rio Ferdinand performs U-turn on Arsenal player after his performance against Real Madrid
  • Gareth Southgate left stunned by reporter's question in England press conference before 'madness' response