Topics: England, Euro 2024, Rio Ferdinand, Bukayo Saka, Kieran Trippier, Luke Shaw, Arsenal, Football
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.
The Three Lions started their Euro 2024 campaign perfectly on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet as they defeated a tricky Serbia 1-0.
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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.
“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.
He added: “Did you see how many times he stood up the full-back and destroyed him, like skinned him?
“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.
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