Rio Ferdinand Recalled: Three Intriguing Aspects of England’s Latest Squad

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 15, 2013

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There is no doubting that the headline-grabbing news from England's squad announcement for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro was Roy Hodgson's inclusion of Rio Ferdinand, ending the Manchester United defender's spell of nearly two years in the international wilderness. 

The call-up was something of a surprise, especially considering the fact that Hodgson himself had pretty much ruled out ever bringing Ferdinand back into the England fold. It was quite a turnaround in fortunes all in all.


1. Can Rio lead England to Rio?

At 34 years old, Rio Ferdinand is not exactly going to be England's future in the position for years to come. Right now, though, he is the best performing English centre-back in the country.

One negative of bringing Ferdinand back into the frame is that it suggests that Hodgson is not building for the future. On the one hand, building for the future is vitally important, but on the other hand, there is no value in blooding youngsters together for a tournament England may not even end up qualifying for if they lose to Montenegro later this month. 

An England side with Rio Ferdinand is stronger than an England side without him, and in the short term that is all that matters. Ferdinand is currently keeping Smalling out of the starting lineup at club level, so surely then it is senseless to be picking Smalling ahead of his Manchester United counterpart at international level, regardless of the respective stages of their careers?



 

 

Whilst Ferdinand played 30 league games for United last season and has managed 21 thus far in this campaign, there do remain doubts over whether he has the capacity to play seven games in four weeks, as the World Cup fixture programme would dictate (although it is unlikely that England will play more than five). 

England, as a football nation, have this...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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