The Robbie Fowler view on Ferdinand.

Robbie Fowler: Rio not left out for ‘footballing reasons’




There’s not a chance Rio Ferdinand was left out of the England squad for “footballing reasons”. Not a chance. The public knows that too.

The reason is Rio’s brother, Anton, was allegedly racially abused by John Terry.

I’ve read that Ferdinand got in touch with Hodgson shortly after he was appointed as manager to say he was willing to play in the same England team as Terry.

Rio was then overlooked for the Euro 2012 23-man squad for what was described as “purely a footballing decision” by Hodgson.

It’s the choice by Hodgson to replace the injured Chelsea centre-half Gary Cahill with Martin Kelly that has really caused the backlash now.


WOUNDED LION: Rio in action for England during a World Cup qualifier in 2005 (Inpho)

I played with Rio Ferdinand at Leeds United. He is a fantastic player who reads the game brilliantly. He started 30 Premier League games for Manchester United last season and nearly won the league. Footballing reasons?


He is 33-years-old with 81 caps for his country. He’s got five title medals for Manchester United, one FA Cup, and a Champions League winner’s medal. Footballing reasons? Really?

Rio is a quieter defender than John Terry. Terry is more dominant, and yes, England need that. Roy Hodgson doesn’t want to concede goals. I would still have taken Ferdinand.

But this looks like the end of his England career, to be honest.

That said, I’m delighted Martin Kelly has got the call up. He’s a great young lad who has come up through the ranks at Liverpool.

There’s six Liverpool players in the England squad now: Kelly, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll, Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard.

That tells me that Liverpool massively under-performed last season, so every cloud

 

Dont see the problem

England camps at tournaments are notoriously cliquey and divisive and if he'd have taken both Terry and Ferdinand, it'd have been a powder keg, so it was always going to be one or the other. Terry physically more capable and up to rigours of tournament, Fergie has said Rio isnt up to 2 games a week, sensible and informed choice was to take Terry and leave Rio at home, irrespective of withdrawls through injury. Hardly spoilt with choice for a replacement, I'd probably have gone for Richards before Kelly though.

 

Doesn't matter what Fowler or anyone thinks. Roy is picking the squad so will pick who he wants. Sick of hearing about it now, Rio is past it anyway.

 

That's harsh. He started nearly every single league game for them last season and only lost the title on goal difference at that. I think Roy is going to be squirming in his seat explaining why Rio isn't in the top 6-7 centre halfs we have, and why someone with two minutes international experience for a team way down the league is a better option.

 

You don't take a 33 year old to the Euros if you're not going to play him.

Terry, Jagielka, Lescott & Jones first choice, Kelly can play right back too. Don't see the fuss. Plus, is he ready with 5 days before the tournament after 4 weeks off?

 

The decision was taken by the England *football* manager for his own *reasons*. It does not matter what anyone else thinks of the situation, Hodgson has made his choice and has to live or die by it. If England wins the tournament (or does well) then this will be forgotten about, but if the team lose the first 3 games it will be a major issue to beat him with in the media.

 

Some of the performances I saw Rio put in last season were clearly in the category of 'past it'. My opinion of course, but nothing harsh about it at all.

 

Just about to say the same. I don't give a frig what Fowler has to say to be honest and regardless of whether taking them both would cause problems I don’t think Rio is good enough or reliable enough anymore. Personally I wouldn't take Terry either but that’s just my opinion.

"There’s not a chance Rio Ferdinand was left out of the England squad for “footballing reasons”. Not a chance. The public knows that too".
The public? So Fowler feels qualified to comment on behalf of the public? Well most people I speak to don’t have an issue with Rio not being picked and I read something on the internet yesterday and a large proportion of the comments left by readers were in support of Roy Hodgson.

 

We are obviously not a part of Fowler's 'public'. The sycophantic nonsense coming out about Rio from other pro's is getting boring, can't they just let Roy get on with managaing the team rather than trying to add to the media witch hunt that will undoubtedly occur after we fail to win the Euros.

 

That there is the problem, SIX Liverpool players in the squad....

 

Self indulgent, out of touch footballers. Of course as he’s an ex pro so he must be right though so I’ll be careful what I say.

 

Wait til Hemsy gets hold of you, if its been on SSN as well....

 

If its been on SSN as well then he has every right to expect a full apology from me.