Rio Ferdinand has named his preferred front six for England at Euro 2024 as the huge tournament edges closer this summer.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate will have some huge calls to make for his England squad as they prepare to jet off to Germany at the end of the current season looking for their first piece of silverware since 1966.
There has been plenty of debate around the England line-up and which players should get the nod to give the team the best chance of success - and former England and Man United defender Ferdinand has come up with his best six players at the front end of the pitch.
Ferdinand, who was working as a pundit for TNT's Champions League coverage of Man City's 3-1 win against FC Copenhagen, was asked for his thoughts on the best attacking line-up after Phil Foden had netted City's third in stoppage time.
His first two picks at right wing and up front were simple and surprised no one.
'[Bukayo] Saka right, [Harry] Kane up front,' he began - before his selections became trickier, adding. 'The left is tough man. [Jack] Grealish is injured now. [Marcus] Rashford hasn’t been in form.'
He was pushed for an answer by fellow former Three Lion Joleon Lescott, who asked him to give a verdict if everyone was fit.
Ferdinand replied: 'If everyone’s fit and flying Rashford plays for me on the left.'
Lescott agreed with his front three selection, adding: 'Yeah I’d go for that. I don’t think there’s a bad choice. I think everyone thinks you can get it wrong and say "well if you’re picking him then you don’t rate the other one". I don’t think that’s the case. I think there’s so much talent.'
Ferdinand was then asked who he would have in the No 10 role should England play a 4-2-3-1 formation.
'I’d have Foden in there,' he said - off the back his impressive display for City.
He also concurred with Lescott on a central midfield pairing of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice behind Foden, with the ex-Everton man saying the trio would 'figure it out between them'.
Ferdinand then pleaded with Southgate to ensure that he picked the same front six when he is asked to name his final squad later this summer.
'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!'
England's preparations will continue with friendlies against Brazil and Belgium next month - before two warm-up games ahead of the Euros against Boznia and Iceland.
They'll kick off their Euro campaign against Serbia on June 16, before rounding off the group against Denmark and Slovenia.