“Their games are too similar”: Ferdinand says Rice and Anderson can’t control matches, calls for Mainoo to start for England | OneFootball

Rio Ferdinand has called for Thomas Tuchel to include Kobbie Mainoo in the England side, and has argued Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are 'too similar'.

England face Panama in their final group game this evening, with top spot and progress at stake. The Three Lions will progress as group winners if they beat Panama, and at least match Ghana's result against Croatia.

Thomas Tuchel's side are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing draw with Ghana in their secondWorld Cup fixture. England were held to a goalless draw, and former England defender Ferdinand has called for Tuchel to shake-up his team.

He believes England lack a player who can beat the press in possession and called for Mainoo to come into the side. He said theManchester United midfielder has all the attributes to thrive at international level.

Speaking onRio Ferdinand Presents, he said: 'If we play Anderson and Rice in midfield, we’re not a team that can control a game or do quick transitions through the pitch because I don’t think that’s their best assets.

"They’re great at retrieving the ball and stopping. We saw some great stuff, especially Anderson, in terms of turnovers and winning the ball back and then setting us off again.

"But being able to get the ball off the back line and transfer it through the team, precisely through the lines, into the more dangerous areas of the final third, those players, that’s not their first call and their best attributes as players.

"So, who do we have to do that? I thought, especially in the group stages, Kobbie Mainoo was one of the players who could come in and do that because his ability to beat the press first and then play or dribble through the press is better than Declan and Anderson because that’s part of his game.’

"Before a ball was kicked, I would have played Rice as the holder, and I’d have played Kobbie Mainoo alongside him and the one to be able to transfer the ball.

Ferdinand says Kobbie Mainoo can be England's Clarence Seedorf

"You got to look at past tournaments as well. Kobbie Mainoo’s best football that he’s played in his whole career was at Euro 2024 on the international scene.

"He was our best player then. He was getting likened to Clarence Seedorf, one of the best players of a generation.

"Certain players suit international football and by that I mean international football plays at a slower pace for most of the game. Who can switch pace of the game either running with the ball or passing it through the lines? Kobbie Mainoo is that guy.

"He can do that. He’s proved it in national level. Declan Rice and Anderson are great at other parts of the game, but their games are too similar."