Rio Ferdinand has advised Gareth Southgate to make the "difficult" decision of picking Chelsea right-back Reece James over Liverpool counterpart Trent Alexander-Arnold in his England starting XI.
Who to select at right-back is one of the many dilemmas the Three Lions manager faces with less than two months remaining until the World Cup kicks off in Qatar. James has been in fine form this season and is viewed as England's most-complete option in the position, while Alexander-Arnold is brilliantly creative but his defensive contributions have come in for criticism.
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier cannot be discounted, either, but Ferdinand believes the main toss-up is between James and Alexander-Arnold. The former Manchester United and England stalwart came down on the side of the Blues star, whom he sees as the more defensively-sound player.
