.png)
7 months ago
37
Rio Ferdinand has highlighted two reasons why England's failed to win anything during his career.
England's team in the 2000s was a sight to behold, with some of the world's most iconic players such as David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, and Michael Owen.
Back that up with a defence of Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Gary Neville, and David James, and you can see why FA chief Adam Crozier dubbed them the 'Golden Generation'.
However, they only reached a string of quarter-finals before failing to qualify for Euro 2008 and crashing out of the 2010 World Cup in the last 16 to Germany.
And Ferdinand believes tactical shortcomings were to blame for their misery - alongside them cracking under the pressure of the 'Golden Generation' tag.
Rio Ferdinand has claimed that England were 'tarnished' by their Golden Generation tag
He also believes that tactical rigidity cost them - but their record on penalties was also a factor
'Brazil were better than us. Name their team when they beat us in the World Cup [2002],' Ferdinand told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
'Their front three was Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo. Cafu and Roberto Carlos as full-backs and Gilberto in midfield – they were an unbelievable team.
'It almost tarnished us that name [The Golden Generation]. It brought a lot of pressure. Expectations were probably a bit higher. France were a top team.
'We had some top individuals but I don’t think we reached our potential because of the way we were put together as a team – that’s the only real negative I see about that team.
'What could we have been if we were actually put into a formation that benefited and made those players play the best they can?
'A rigid 4-4-2 [is what we played], and you have other teams bringing players into their midfield – Rivaldo dropping in with Ronaldinho and you wonder why we can’t get close to them?'
Working out how to fit midfield forces such as Gerrard and Lampard together was a problem which saddled England throughout their careers.
As Ferdinand pointed out, England's rigidity was a problem while football underwent tactical change - their 4-4-2 line-up against Brazil's 3-4-2-1 was little match for the Selecao's fluidity.
Ferdinand thinks Brazil, who beat them in the 2002 World Cup, were a better side on paper
In the end, it was fine margins which seperated England from the elite. There's not much shame in losing 2-1 to Brazil in the last eight of the 2002 World Cup, nor exiting to Portugal on penalties at Euro 2004 or the 2006 World Cup.
There were also circumstances a manager can't foresee - did Sven-Goran Eriksson expect Rooney to be sent off against Portugal in 2006?
However, England clearly failed to capitalise on the squad they had and were unable to produce their best performances in pivotal moments.
Ferdinand was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
English (US)