RIO FERDINAND has “ZERO amounts of fear for France” and has backed England to WIN the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions set up a quarter-final date with the current World Cup holders with a 3-0 win over African champions Senegal.
France held their nerve to run out 3-1 winners over round of 16 opponents Poland.
But England legend Ferdinand said Southgate’s side “are the best team I’ve seen in my lifetime” on the BBC’s coverage of Croatia vs Japan, and has “ZERO amounts of fear for France”.
The Manchester United legend has also backed England to win their second ever World Cup, ending 56 years of hurt.
Ferdinand said on the FIVE YouTube channel: “I watched France play [Poland] before the England game and I had them down as one of my favourites.
READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
“But they’ve got five first-team players missing so it’s a weakened France team.
“Having watched that game, I hold zero amounts of fear for France. The only fear is Kylian Mbappe.
“They didn’t show me anything yesterday, they rely on individuals. If England can contain Mbappe, I don’t see it being a problem against France.
“England played against the African champions [Senegal] by the way. France beat Poland, who have been so poor in this tournament.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
“England are the better team, 100 per cent. I think England are going to win the World Cup.”
Ferdinand has, however, highlighted one team that can match England
He continued: “The only team I think can go toe-to-toe with England is Brazil.
“They’ve got the personality and the characters to do that. They’ve got hardened European players.
“I see weaknesses all over the place in the other teams and I think England can physically dominate the other teams.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
