Speaking on the Die For Three Points Podcast, Neil Warnock has been discussing the England XI he would select throughout the 2022 World Cup if he was in charge.
No stranger to controversy, Warnock made some big decisions in this team, and perhaps the biggest call he made was to leave Bukayo Saka out of the side.
Indeed, Warnock picked Phil Foden ahead of Saka on the wing due to the fact he believes Foden is stronger defensively than Saka is and would provide more cover for his full-back.
Foden over Saka
Warnock explained his reasoning for picking Foden over Saka.
“I’d have Mount in the hole. I would have Maddison, but I think he’s an impact player. I would play Foden as well who is a bit stronger than Saka defensively, so I would play him and I would play Raheem Sterling who I missed out of my squad initially, but that was a mistake because I forgot about him, I am 73,” Warnock said.
Is he?
Warnock picked Foden over Saka because of his perceived better defensive ability, but we have to question that call.
Indeed, while Foden is good at tracking back, we mustn’t forget that Saka actually started his career as a left-back.
Saka is as good as anyone when it comes to defending, and we have to argue that he’s better than Foden when it comes to tracking back and making tackles.
There are a few reasons as to why any manager would prefer Foden over Saka. After all, he’s a tremendous player, but this is one argument we can’t quite get on board with.
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