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Rio Ferdinand Withdraws: Analyzing England’s Other Centre-Backs
Published: March 18, 2013
But why was I worried?
My primary worry was that England had lost the one genuinely experienced central defender that they still have available (although apparently not one Hodgson has available for any longer).
Hodgson could start himself in central defence against San Marino and I wouldn't be particularly concerned, but the game against Montenegro four days later is a must win if England want to avoid the dreaded World Cup playoffs.
England should, Rio or no Rio, be able to overcome Montenegro. But one more experienced head on the pitch would certainly help put this England fan's mind at ease. It mustn't be forgotten that this England side failed to beat Montenegro home and away in their last qualification campaign.
Ferdinand would have been a useful asset in Montenegro but he was still just a short-term stop gap. At 34 he was never going to be England's central defensive future and regardless of his latest call-up, Roy Hodgson must have still had concerns with his fitness issues.
My worries over Ferdinand's withdrawal came from when I looked at England's squad after his withdrawal and saw what remained.
During England's 2006 World Cup campaign, their four central defensive options were Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Sol Campbell and Jamie Carragher. All high quality central defenders who were all the defensive lynch-pins for the former big four and all at the peaks of their careers (except maybe Campbell, but he was still fresh from scoring in a Champions League final for Arsenal).
Yes, England may have only made it to the quarter-finals of the tournament, but they did only concede two goals in five games on the way there (and this is a piece about defenders, rather than England's shambolic rece...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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