Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has said the reason the current squad has achieved more than the “golden generation” of which he was a part, and all other England teams since 1966 by reaching the Euro 2020 final is that there are no egos.
England play in a grand final for the first time in 55 years when they face Italy at Wembley on Sunday night. Many thought that the drought should have stopped much earlier when the national team was at the forefront with world-class talent in the mid-2000s, but that squad never got further than a quarter-final.
Ferdinand’s generation contained legitimate English legends through the ages – Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Paul Scholes. But the ego was one of the things that tracked down the chances of success.
Gareth Southgate’s Class 2020, which has been further developed since 2018 when this journey began, does not seem to be burdened by the same behind-the-scenes problems. It leaves their football to talk instead.
“Troops always win you these tournaments, on and off the field, and it’s the same this time. “England has not only got the quality they need with this group, they also have the right attitude and atmosphere,” Ferdinand explained in a BBC Sport column.
“We have more strength in depth than I can remember that we had at any previous tournament I have played in or seen … There are plenty of elements in it, but I would say that the most important thing is that it is not allowed with ego this group – instead, everyone is very humble.
“We have some exceptional players but Southgate has created a sense of belonging in the camp that feels different from what I have seen before.”
Ferdinand explained that rivalries between individual players from different clubs during the golden generation era felt “more intense” than they do now. Even when potential problems have flared up, such as the brief nausea between Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez, Southgate has fixed it.
England’s golden generation always came under in big tournaments / Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images
“It seems to me that they all really want to be a part of it and each of them is right behind him, whether they start matches or not. Nobody sucks if they are left out – they all want to be a part of it, I would do that too, “Ferdinand continued to explain.
The 81-cap defender also said that one of the most important differences Southgate has brought with it is a more positive relationship with the media. Where the golden generation would see the press as “enemies”, the current boss has tried to change things.
“Having media in and around the group, especially in Russia (2018) and since then, has built a stronger relationship. It has helped to make some people’s coverage a little more responsible and also meant that the players are less watched in interviews, “he explained.
“I do not see them sitting there with their shields up, as I may have done before.”
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