Forget Rio and look abroad for England’s defensive future

The fallout from Rio Ferdinand's withdrawal from the England squad has been worsened by the supposed lack of options to replace him, leaving many worried about the future of the Three Lions' back line. All is not lost, however, as there are two English defenders with convincing pedigrees that could be well worth a call-up in the future, yet largely unheralded on these shores due to plying their trade outside the Premier League. talkSPORT look at the defenders starring in the German and Portuguese leagues that could provide some hope for England's future...

Name: Michael Mancienne
Age: 25
Club: Hamburg
International appearances: 30 (England U21)

Many will remember Michael Mancienne as a promising Chelsea youngster who failed to fulfil his potential, but the Englishman has been given a new lease of life with Hamburg in the Bundesliga after moving to Germany in 2011. Mancienne took time to settle in to the German top flight, making 16 appearances in his first season there, but after getting in to the swing of things he has become a regular starter for Hamburg this season, playing 17 games to date, and only denied further appearances by injury. Mancienne played in HSV's 3-2 upset over Dortmund in September 2012, as well as their 3-1 victory over Schalke in November, and has been missed since picking up an injury in January. Hamburg Sporting Director Frank Arnesen says he believes the defender could be a good solution for England due to his ability to play in multiple positions, and described him in glowing terms:

“He is not the tallest and yet his leap is unbelievable. He can jump so high. He is aggressive in a good way, he is quick and good on the ball. When you play for England, it's a different style of football. You're playing international opponents and it helps if you've experienced playing regularly against different opponents with a different style, and Michael has done that.”

Video
Mancienne has played in some impressive victories for Hamburg this season, including a 3-2 win over Dortmund...

Name: Eric Dier
Age: 19
Club: Sporting Lisbon
International appearances: 8 (England U19)

Unlike Michael Mancienne, Eric Dier's career in football started on foreign soil, after his family moved to Portugal when he was nine years old. The Cheltenham native is a product of Sporting Lisbon's youth academy; the same school that produced the likes of Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo. On the brink of the Sporting B team, Dier was sent to Everton on loan in 2012, and though he didn't make an appearance for the Toffees, he credits the experience with helping him to grow as a player. Sporting seem to agree, as after a short spell with Sporting B on his return, they handed him his first team debut against Braga on November 2012. His biggest test would arrive in only his third senior game, when he was picked to play the derby match against Benfica in December. Though Sporting suffered a defeat, Dier passed the test, and has since gone on to make eight more appearances in the Portuguese league. Dier has a good international pedigree at youth level, starting for England in their run to the 2012 U19 European Championship quarter finals, and looks likely to be at Sporting for years to come. His ability to play in both the midfield and defence has even led to a comparison with none other than Franz Beckenbauer. No pressure!

Video
Check out Eric Dier's assist from his Sporting debut against Braga...

Is it worth giving Michael Mancienne or Eric Dier a chance with England, and should more English players test themselves abroad? Let us know below...