Foden clamor puts Southgate under pressure at WCup
AL-RAYYAN: Gareth Southgate’s refusal to use Phil Foden during England’s drab 0-0 draw against the United States has put renewed pressure on the Three Lions boss ahead of their decisive World Cup Group B clash against Wales. With England laboring to prise open the well-drilled US defense at the Al Bayt Stadium on Friday, it was notable that Southgate turned to Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford as his attacking changes.
For the second successive World Cup game, Manchester City playmaker Foden had started on the bench. After a 19-minute cameo in the 6-2 win over Iran, he was left kicking his heels as an unused substitute as England fell flat against the US. Foden has been frozen out by Southgate’s preference for starting Mason Mount behind striker Harry Kane, with Bukayo Saka on the right side of the attack and Raheem Sterling on the left.
While there were only muted complaints from fans and pundits about the 22-year-old’s exile when England crushed Iran, the spotlight on Southgate’s decision was far harsher following a lethargic display in the US stalemate. “For Phil Foden not to be playing is a real shame because he’s a massive talent. He’s our best player by a mile,” former England defender Gary Neville said. Wayne Rooney, England’s record goalscorer, agrees with Neville that Foden should be part of the starting line-up. “I found it very strange that Foden did not come on as a substitute against the USA. He would be a key part of my starting XI if I were the England boss,” Rooney wrote in the Times. “Technically, he is the best footballer England have. I think if you have a talent like Foden, you simply have to play him.”