Rio Ferdinand picks his England front six for Euro 2024 after claiming Foden is world class but Saka isn’t

10 months ago 52

RIO FERDINAND picked his England front six after claiming that Phil Foden is world class… and Bukayo Saka isn’t.

The former Three Lions star was on TNT Sports punditry duty for Manchester City’s 3-1 win in Copenhagen.

"You have to look at Phil Foden as world-class for what he does for his team"

"Bukayo Saka needs the opportunity to perform on that platform" @rioferdy5 assess two of England's brightest talents

@laura_woodsy #UCL pic.twitter.com/MxL4PXMyql

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 13, 2024

Instagram / @tntsportsLaura Woods asked Rio Ferdinand if Phil Foden is ‘world class’[/caption]

Instagram / @tntsportsFerdinand, 45, claims that Foden IS world class[/caption]

The Man City star scored against Copenhagen last night[/caption]

Ferdinand refused to call Bukayo Saka world class despite his impressive stats[/caption]

Red-hot Foden grabbed a goal and an assist to cap off another excellent display.

After the game presenter Laura Woods pointedly asked Ferdinand if Foden is world class, after he had claimed that Saka is not on his Vibe with Five show.

He replied: “I think you’ve got to be looking at him like that. For what he does for the team, he’s important to the team.

“With assists, with goals, with the rhythm of the game, especially this season.

“I think he’s got to be in the conversation or nearing that at least.”

Woods, 36, then offered up some of Saka’s stats compared to Foden’s – with the Arsenal star having scored 10 Premier League goals this term, two more than his City rival.

Asked why Saka isn’t world class, Ferdinand added: “Because I don’t think he’s done it at the top level, winning trophies in a team like this.

“You’ve got to understand and respect and appreciate, Phil Foden has done this, where the medals are handed out, he’s performed.

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“He’s done that against the best teams. Consistently.

“Saka needs the opportunity to perform at that platform, that level, consistently and then we’ll see where he’s at. You can consider him then.”

Despite his stance, Ferdinand still sees Saka as a nailed-on starter for Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024 this summer.

On who he would select in his front six, the Manchester United legend revealed: “Saka right, [Harry] Kane up front.

“The left is tough man. [Jack] Grealish is injured now. [Marcus] Rashford hasn’t been in form.”

After eventually picking Rashford, he then revealed who he would play in a No10 role ahead of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in midfield, saying: “I’d have Foden in there.”

Ferdinand then joked: “If Gareth needs any help deciding that I’m here – I’ll go on a Zoom call, I’ll even come around your house and that’s your front six please!”