Gary Neville has admitted that he is confused why Phil Foden is yet to start a game for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the Manchester City star not even featuring off the bench against the USA on Friday night.
Speaking to Sky Sports News via the Daily Mail, the former Manchester United captain vented his frustration over Gareth Southgate’s treatment of Foden, who is considered by many as England’s best player in terms of quality and a figure who could have fired the Three Lions to a win against America.
England drew 0-0 against their North American rivals, leaving Southgate’s squad needing to not lose on Tuesday night against Wales in a fixture that could define the British nation’s entire World Cup. And for many, Foden needs to feature against Gareth Bale and company.
The 22-year-old attacker came off the bench for England in their 6-2 win against Iran. However, Foden didn’t play a second against the USA, leading many supporters and pundits to question Southgate over why the City superstar didn’t feature when it was obvious that his qualities were needed on the pitch.
Indeed, many want to see Foden start for England against Wales with the likes of Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling failing to turn up against America. And for Neville, the City wonderkid simply has to feature against Wales if the Three Lions are to top Group B ahead of the knockout stages.
Neville said when asked about the Foden dilemma: “I’m struggling with Foden a little bit just because I think he’s our best player in the country by a mile. Phil Foden is a generational talent that I feel as though he has to play, he has to be played into form and it has to work with England.”
Southgate must start Foden if England are to win World Cup group
The entire nation is crying out for Foden to start for England against Wales. And for Southgate, an attacker with that added X Factor to lift the likes of Harry Kane and Sterling is exactly what’s needed to get the job done against the old enemy, which is exactly what the City star can provide.
After all Foden is easily England’s best player in terms of individual quality and creating something out of nothing. And to not use this incredible weapon when the time is needed will backfire hugely for Southgate, who could lose his job in the long-term if the Three Lions crash out of Qatar early enough.
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