Rio Ferdinand may have something to say about Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad after Harry Maguire was selected.
The Manchester United captain, 29, has struggled for form since England reached the final of Euro 2020 16 months ago. He's fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and made a costly mistake in England's last international against Germany in September.
Ferdinand recently claimed Three Lions boss Southgate was showing 'blind faith' in Maguire amid his woes. The centre-back has done well for England in the past, such as when Southgate's side reached the semi-finals of the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.
"I’ve always thought if you’re going to win a tournament, you’ve got to have a good defence," Ferdinand told The Metro. "Italy had experience, solid defenders to win the Euros [beating England in the final]. You can go down the years and you can see that.
"That’s where we’re probably at our weakest now. Even if there weren’t injuries or lack of form, I feel like that was our weakest area anyway."
Chelsea defenders Reece James and Ben Chilwell, who are regulars for England, have both been omitted from the squad due to injury. Manchester City star Kyle Walker has been included but is still recovering from a groin complaint. He underwent surgery in October.
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John Stones and Maguire have also just returned from muscle injuries. Ferdinand added: "Kyle Walker, our quickest defender, has been out. Maguire, form and injuries. When you’re looking at it, you’re thinking, 'What are we going to do?'
"Harry hasn’t let England down ever. He’s been phenomenal for England. But his form has gone out the window for Man Utd. He’s not in the team, he’s got an injury as well. Going into a tournament, I couldn’t think of another worst-case scenario.
"I would be concerned about that. But to be fair to him, Harry hasn’t let Gareth down. So as a manager you’re going to go with what you know, with what you’re comfortable with. But he trusts him. It could be blind trust, I don’t know. But he does trust him."
The big question for Southgate now is whether to start Maguire in England's World Cup opener against Iran on November 21. The Three Lions also have group games against the United States on November 25 and neighbours Wales on November 29.
England head into the tournament in Qatar in terrible form. They picked up just three points from their six Nations League fixtures and were relegated to the second tier of the competition. Southgate's side suffered a humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Hungary in June.
Yet England's record at major tournaments under Southgate remains very impressive. He is the most successful Three Lions manager since World Cup-winning boss Sir Alf Ramsey and will be keen to end the country's 56-year wait for silverware on December 18.
