Rio Ferdinand sends message to Arsenal star Jack Wilshere

Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Jack Wilshere did not deserve a place in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

The Arsenal midfielder did not make it into Gareth Southgate’s squad for the tournament despite having held down a regular spot in the first team at The Emirates for the second half of the compain

Ferdinand is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard: “Why would you take him?” Ferdinand asked. “I didn’t disagree with the midfield choices he took. He can count on all the others physically.

“I don’t think there’s an argument. He hasn’t played enough football and hasn’t influenced enough games in the way that those guys have over a sustained period of time.

“I’ve been there with teams where we’ve had players coming in a little bit unfit and it does leave uncertainty in a squad. Even with Wayne Rooney, Becks in 2002, it can destabilise a squad. However small it is it does spread.”