World Cup 2014: Harry Redknapp claims England were better in 2010

Defensive pairing was much stronger four years ago in South Africa

Gary Cahill (GETTY IMAGES)

Harry Redknapp thinks Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are nowhere near as good as England's previous centre-back pairing of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat was the first time England have lost when Cahill and Jagielka have started together at centre-back.

But Redknapp appears to believe central defence is England's weak spot.

Redknapp believes England were a much stronger side when they had Terry and Ferdinand at the back.

"I've heard a few people say that this is the best England side we've had in recent years, but that's nonsense," the QPR manager wrote on his blog for 666 Bet.

"It's a good side, but no disrespect to Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill, they're not in the same league as John Terry and Rio Ferdinand when they were in their prime.

"We had a stronger side in South Africa."

Redknapp also had his say on the debate surrounding Wayne Rooney.

Rooney's place in the starting XI has come into question recently after a series of sub-par displays, the most recent one being in the Italy game.

Redknapp believes England boss Roy Hodgson should move Rooney from the left to the centre for Thursday's crunch match against Uruguay.

"I don't think Roy will make any changes to the starting XI for the Uruguay game, although I'd put Raheem Sterling on the left and bring Wayne Rooney back down the middle," said Redknapp, who was pipped to the England job by Hodgson two years ago."

He continued: "He plays the number 10 role so well and Sterling can cause Uruguay problems on the left, especially after their right back (Maxi Pereira) got sent off against Costa Rica."

PA