In the English media, the call for Phil Foden is getting bigger and bigger. Several former internationals wonder aloud why the 22-year-old left leg stayed on the bench for ninety minutes on Friday evening during the disappointing draw with the United States (0-0). In total, the creative midfielder of Manchester City played only 21 minutes in Qatar, during the match against Iran (6-2 win).
The headline of Jamie Carragher’s column The Telegraph is crystal clear: ‘My big question: where the hell was Phil Foden?’ The former international finds it incomprehensible that Gareth Southgate has not brought the top talent to the Three Lions. “It was astonishing that he stayed on the bench while the game cried out for his creativity. The more you study the plow, the harder it is to pass it. He’s too special a talent. Would Josep Guardiola at Manchester City look to Jack Grealish rather than Foden when he is looking for a goal? That seems highly unlikely to me.” Grealish got 22 minutes as a substitute against the USA and came on for Raheem Sterling.
John Terry would also have done it ‘completely differently’, he says The DailyMirror. “Personally I would do things completely differently, that Foden has not played is incomprehensible. He is one of our greatest talents. I would have loved to see what he could have brought. You need to give him, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford more chances. Those are players who entertain the crowd, which can ultimately move the team forward. These are big stars who need playing time.”
Gary Neville caught up after Friday night’s game ITV immediately empty about the choice of Southgathe. “I was disappointed that Foden didn’t get in. He is such a great talent. Gareth currently prefers Mount, Saka and Sterling, but I find it interesting to say the least that Foden is not starting in the starting line-up and not allowed to fill in.” Michael Owen took to Twitter to express his frustration: “Amazing that we used 14 players, but our greatest talent is still on the bench.”