Gareth Southgate is spoiled for choice by who starts as right back or right wing-back.
Gareth Southgate can count on over four right backs, playing regularly for their clubs week in and week out.
The likes of Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker-Peters, Reece James, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are fighting for one position. Because Southgate normally deploys are 3-back system, they often deploy Kyle walker as a center back along with Harry Maguire and John Stone.
Southgate is left with the choice of picking Reece James, Kieran Trippier, and Trent Alexander-Arnold as the right back for England.
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However. Rio Ferdinand believes Reece James should start ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England National Team.
What did Rio Ferdinand say?
The former Manchester United legend explained via Vibe with Five: “This is a difficult one. We are going where we are right now. Reece James is ahead of Trent right now. If I’m a winger, I look at who I don’t want to play against more out of the two of them, and it would be Reece.
“I think physically he can match people defensively and going forward is ridiculous. Trent’s passing, I would say, arguably is better over varied distances, but I think Reece will score more goals. He is there (the penalty area) so much.
“He would patrol the whole area on his own. You could play Trent there as well and he’d run it and both of them can come in here (central areas).
“That’s the one thing, he plays this position week in and week out. Trent plays more from the right-back area, coming onto things.”
Rio Ferdinand has picked his starting eleven for England for the World Cup
GK Jordan Pickford
“Pickford picks himself. He’s never let England down. He’s been in really good form this season. You’ve got to look at his history with England—he’s been brilliant and he’s still playing. He’s a shoo-in on this team.”
RWB: Reece James
“He can match people physically and defensively. Going forward, he’s ridiculous.”
RCB: Kyle Walker
“He’s the security blanket for the whole back three.”
CB: John Stones
Ferdinand went with Stones in the middle over Harry Maguire. Ferdinand would not pick Maguire on his side, as he was not playing.
LCB: Fikayo Tomori
“I think he deserves a chance. He went over to Italy and won Serie A. He’s been AC Milan’s best defender. He deserves a chance to go in there and perform.”
LWB: Bukayo Saka
“I think Tomori will be able to take care of that side, not a problem. I wouldn’t give Saka many defensive duties. There are so many ways you can utilize him.”
CM: Declan Rice
“Mad form last season. I don’t know where his ceiling is yet. I love talking about him because he’s a great kid. Every season he is bringing something new.”
CM: Jude Bellingham
“No hesitation.”
CAM: Phil Foden/Jack Grealish
After ruling out Mason Mount, Ferdinand couldn’t pick a winner between Foden and Grealish.
ST: Harry Kane
“Do you know how good this guy is? I see some disrespect sometimes. He plays in any era and scores in any era.”
ST: Raheem Sterling
“I’m going with Sterling. He’s underrated and disrespected. Mad player. Any era, he performs. He’s a top player. Intelligent, effective, hurts defenders… defenders don’t want to play against him.”
