Following an impressive performance and victory for the England national team over Brazil this Wednesday, questions over a recall for former England captain Rio Ferdinand were still being asked of manager Roy Hodgson.
England played some of the most attractive football so far under Hodgson, but after Centre back Gary Cahill’s second half error which allowed Brazil to pull back level, questions over a possible recall for Ferdinand were once again posed to Hodgson.
Ferdinand has not featured for his country since June 2011, failing to be picked in any of Hodgson’s England squads since becoming manager in May 2012. However, Ferdinand’s form this season has been reminiscent of his earlier career, playing a vital role for United in challenging at the top of the league and progressing to the last 16 of the Champions League.
At his recent press conference, Hodgson refused to answer questions on a possible recall for Ferdinand, but appeared annoyed the question was still being asked, telling BBC Sport ‘’I am not prepared, every time we play, to keep revisiting something which I have revisited at every single press conference for the last 10 months’’. Hodgson has given a clear indication that the door is well and truly shut for an international return for Ferdinand, showing a strength and decisiveness that has been severely lacking with previous England managers.
Refusing to give in to public pressure, Hodgson has made it clear that he wants the England team to concentrate on bringing through the next generation of international stars, and will surely hope the issue of a recall for the former captain can be put to bed once and for all.
Source: DSG
