“They can win this tournament playing ugly” - Rio Ferdinand makes bold claim about England at Euro 2024
Rio Ferdinand has made a bold claim about England's chances at Euro 2024. The Three Lions are set to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals at Merkur Spiel Arena in Dusseldorf on Saturday, July 6.
England, Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia were placed in Group C. Gareth Southgate's side topped the group with five points, courtesy of two draws and one win. They then bagged a 2-1 win against Slovakia in the Round of 16.
Despite England being undefeated, Southgate's decisions with the line-up and the team's performance have come in for criticism.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day ahead of England's quarter-final clash against Switzerland, Rio Ferdinand defended the 53-year-old manager's decisions and said:
"They’ve qualified top of the group and they’ve won the first knock-out game and his [Southgate’s] substitutions have impacted games."
Expressing confidence in the Three Lions winning the Euro 2024 by not playing eye-catching football, the former Manchester United defender added:
"Yes, like everyone else I want to see a better performing England, but they are getting the job done and they can win this tournament playing ugly."
Under Gareth Southgate, who took charge in 2016, England finished runners-up in the 2020 UEFA European Championship and ended up in third place in the UEFA Nations League in 2018-19.
Rio Ferdinand opines on England's starting line-up for Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland
Rio Ferdinand shared his opinion on England's starting XI against Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. The former centre-back predicted that Gareth Southgate would not be making any major changes to his lineup.
Ferdinand opined that the head coach will keep the same XI that played against Slovakia in the Round of 16, with only one forced change.
"This is what I think Gareth will play. Jordan Pickford picks himself. Right-back, Kyle Walker. Marc Guehi is suspended so Ezri Konsa will come in I think. John Stones and then I still think he will play Kieran Trippier at left-back," he said (via The Mirror).
"I think he keeps it the same: Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Harry Kane. I don't think he changes. I cannot see him making changes. I think we will see late subs again and win the game," added the Manchester United legend.
Marc Guehi, who received his second yellow card of the tournament against Slovakia, will miss the Switzerland clash due to suspension.