Rio Ferdinand reveals his ‘one big disagreement’ with Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for World Cup

Rio Ferdinand has questioned Thomas Tuchel’s decision to leave Cole Palmer out of his World Cup squad, insisting England should have taken a ‘gamble’ on the Chelsea star.

Tuchel sprung several surprises as he unveiled his 26-man party last month, with a host of big names missing out on selection for this summer’s spectacle in North America.

Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Reece James are all in line to appear on the global stage for the first time, while the likes of Palmer, Harry Maguire and Phil Foden – last season’s PFA Player of the Year – will be forced to watch on from home.

For Palmer, it was a combination of poor form and fitness – as well as fierce competition for places in attack – that ultimately cost him a spot as Tuchel whittled down his numbers for the Three Lions, two years on from his stunning goal in England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

There was also disappointment for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who flattered to deceive in his debut season with Real Madrid following a high-profile transfer move from Liverpool.

Asked to explain his controversial selections, Tuchel told reporters: ‘I can assure every fan in the country that we have 26 100 per cent committed players in camp with us who know their roles, who are ready to buy into their role on and off the pitch and are ready and committed to the idea of team spirit and being unselfish.

‘We have a huge chunk of youthfulness in the squad, with six players who have won titles at U21 level and Kobbie Mainoo who has already won titles and Nico O’Reilly who is very young and won his medals.

‘We have specialists for all different kinds of scenarios, whether we are leading or chasing a result. We always want to be a strong set-piece team so we have specialists for that, and we want to be a strong penalty team so we have specialists for that.’

With England’s final warm-up match done and dusted, attentions turn to England’s intriguing opening contest against Croatia at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium in just under a week’s time.

Tuchel gave an insight into his thinking with a strong-looking starting XI against Costa Rica, with Jude Bellingham playing in the No.10 role, supporting an attack of Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke and captain Harry Kane.

But overlooking his disappointing season with Chelsea, Ferdinand is adamant Palmer was worth a ‘gamble’ and should be in the mix to feature against Croatia, even if only as an impact substitute.

Asked if Tuchel could be the man to end 60 years of hurt for England, Ferdinand told the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel: ‘I think we’re all hopeful of that.

‘Listen, the squad selection and the way he’s gone about it and the players he’s left out, there are a lot of discussions going on about that… some would take X, Y and Z.

‘I absolutely love him, I’ve been fortunate to be in his company quite a few times and have had some beers with him in Paris one of the times, him and his assistant, and he just talks football, man. It was lovely.

‘But there’s one thing I disagree with him on: Cole Palmer.

‘That’s one thing I have a big disagreement with because Cole Palmer has shown that he can be a sub, he can be part of the squad, he can impact the biggest games, he scored in a Euros final.

‘In this place, in the United States, he won the Club World Cup and was the best player at that tournament, in this type of heat, so he knows the landscape… and you don’t take him.

‘If there’s one player I would have definitely gambled on it would have been him.’

On the suggestion that Morgan Gibbs-White may have been more deserving of selection, Ferdinand replied: ‘But he’s not different. The best teams have something different, there’s something different that comes to the party that separates you from other teams.

‘And that is ability and it’s a mentality. Cole Palmer is that guy.

‘This player we’re talking about isn’t a player that was going to start the tournament for England… he was the player that would hopefully provide a moment.

‘Cole Palmer has shown that he can do that on the biggest of stages. He did it in the Euros final against Spain. That’s my point.

‘I like Morgan Gibbs-White and I’m not against the shouts for him to be in the squad, but if you’re saying between those two, who you are going to take, it wouldn’t have been him.’

Asked which player he would ideally have omitted for Palmer, Ferdinand responded: ‘Jordan Henderson, I would have left out Jordan Henderson.’

Having been involved with England at two World Cups during his playing days, Ferdinand is somewhat pessimistic about the Three Lions’ chances of triumphing for the first time since 1966.

And the legendary ex-Manchester United defender fears the heat and climate may have a major role to play if Tuchel’s men advance beyond the group stage.

Pressed on how far England could progress, he said: ‘I think semi-finals. But you know if it goes a certain way… there’s always ifs, buts and maybes here.

‘But if it goes a certain way then England could play Mexico, when they’re out of the group stage, in Mexico which is probably one of the hottest cities we’re going to be playing in at this time of year.

‘And then if they get through they could play Brazil in Miami – probably the second hottest place you could play football.

‘Then, no matter what happens, if they go through they’re probably going to go home after that because they’ll have zero left in the tank.’

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