Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden England positions must change, says Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand is adamant that two players are in the wrong positions (Picture: Getty)

Rio Ferdinand believes England have a ‘big concern’ over two players after their 1-1 draw against Denmark at Euro 2024 on Thursday.

The Three Lions beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening match at the tournament but were unable to make it two wins from two against Kasper Hjulmand’s side.

England superstar Jude Bellingham was below his usual standards while Phil Foden looked slightly better than his performance in the first match on Sunday.

Ferdinand feels both men are playing in the wrong positions and has called for Gareth Southgate to play Bellingham deeper as a No.8 and move Foden into the middle from the left.

‘The current balance of the team is not allowing the players to reach the levels that they have done for clubs,’ Ferdinand told the BBC.

‘Phil Foden is out of position and not playing his best, maybe Jude Bellingham would be better playing at number eight. It is a big concern.’

Foden was the Premier League Player of the Season for 2023-24 after he helped Manchester City clinch the title.

Phil Foden should be moved into the middle, according to Rio Ferdinand (Picture: Getty)

Bellingham, meanwhile, was voted La Liga Player of the Year after his brilliant debut season at Real Madrid.

England’s players are well aware they will need to go up a level for their final Group C match against Slovenia on Tuesday.

Three Lions vice captain Kyle Walker told the BBC: ‘We take away the point and we are top of the group – I cannot stand here saying it was a fantastic performance.

Jude Bellingham was below his usual standards against Denmark (Picture: Getty)

‘Collectively we need to know when to go or when not to go. We have to go as a full team and that is something we need to practice because you come to the knockout stages and slight things like that can cost you.

‘Our build-up play can be better. And making sure the second ball is our ball.

‘Each individual player is representing their country so they are going to give their blood, sweat and tears and we are doing the exact same.’