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Gareth Southgate reveals reason behind not playing Phil Foden at World Cup so far

Gareth Southgate reveals the reason behind not playing Phil Foden at the 2022 World Cup so far in Qatar with group games coming to a close.

Southgate’s men must avoid defeating Wales by four goals, even after a draw with the United States, but there is still concern a the man in charge and this time, the nation is frustrated at his inability to bring Phil Foden on board as a sub for the States.

The England boss knows all too well what is being said. He is cautious when his comes to his performers – this week Foden, last week Jack Grealish, next week James Maddison — and England isn’t as entertaining as they can be truth be told.

Southgate expressed concerns over expectations on Phil Foden, 22, saying: “We have to be careful as we are putting a lot of pressure on Phil.

“We need to make sure we are not building up Phil into a situation where, if he steps on the pitch, this is becoming really difficult for him.

“The level of expectation is beyond a young guy still establishing himself intern­ationally, in a different environment from his club, where you’re comfortable with all the players you play with.

“At home, you’re going home every night, you’re calm with everything else. This is a unique environment.

“He is a young player and he’s doing brilliantly and we love him to bits. We also have to look after him.

“We’re happy with how he is training. He’s bright, he’s ready and he’s a good player. We’re blessed.

“We’ve got some exciting players.

“But sometimes the discussion around just plopping Phil in as a No 10 in every game isn’t realistic.

“In a game like USA the other night, you have to have the ball and there are defensive responsibilities that he doesn’t have at his club.

“From the wide areas it’s different, the defensive responsibility is different.

“As a No 10, you have to cover a lot more ground and be more aware of the spaces without the ball.

“If that pressure isn’t right, then they are through you and into your back line.

“That’s why we didn’t put him in as a No 10 the other night. There are games where there isn’t that same tactical challenge in midfield.

“There might be more freedom and that might be the slot he can express himself in.

“But his club don’t do that, so there must be a reason. He’s a great option in two or three positions and he will have a big impact.

Southgate was questioned if the whole Foden debate was now another example of his own negativity.

He said: “Well, we scored six in the first game — and we did not have different discussions about how we wanted to play ahead of the second game.

“We could have changed the team but decided to go with the team that attacked so well against Iran.

“We faced a USA team that defended differently and covered more ground than any team we have played in the last six years.

“Then you have a decision to make about who you bring on. We have Jack, who 18 months ago I was being murdered for not using!

“Marcus Rashford we feel has been in good form.

“Had we put Phil on and he hadn’t scored, we would have been talking about Jack or Marcus.

“I’m not going to change that. A lot of people have decided how it is. I’ve just got to keep making the decisions that give us the best chance of winning.”

Southgate adds that, despite social media, his current squad are less aware of debates about team selection than those he played for England with.

He said: “When I was playing, the players were more narky about it! It was more of a discussion in the camp than we make it now.

“At a World Cup, every country will have their own support entirely focused. This is one of the things you have to handle in a tournament.

“There are 19 other stories on a Premier League weekend and when you’re in a World Cup, there is only one.

“You have to be strong and calm enough to come through that. We’re fortunate that a lot of our players are in their second or third tournaments. They have lived it.

“But these situations have always been there. It’s rare that we’ve won every game.

“You’re never sitting comfortably and if we were that would be a worry because you don’t want comfort. You need an edge.”

Southgate admits he had not considered bringing on Trent Alexander-Arnold against USA.

And even suggested he is unlikely to rest Harry Kane, despite debate about the skipper’s minor ankle problem.

Southgate said: “When I started six years ago everybody told me the national football didn’t matter.

“We’ve helped to create that feeling it does matter again — people are connected to it and want to watch us. So that is a positive.”

Gary Neville has criticised Southgate’s decision not to play Phil Foden against the USA, whilst labelling the City star as England’s best player.

He said on ITV during the half-time interval: “I know Phil Foden isn’t playing but for Phil Foden not to be playing for England is a real shame because he’s a massive talent.

“I think he’s our best player, our best talent by a mile. He should be playing in that team.”

Neville then points out England were playing too many passes and not getting the ball forward quickly enough.

He added: “We had far too many passes at the back, didn’t get to midfield. Their midfield three have made ours look sluggish, we spoke about (Jude) Bellingham before the game, Mount, they put a group of passes together and if you look at (Harry) Maguire on this (Weston McKennie chance), he’s really poor on this one, you’ve got to get that near post.

“Watch Maguire, he goes and marks which you can’t do that, you can’t do that. They were brighter and sharper, everything we were doing we weren’t getting anything right. We know what a talent (Christian) Pulisic is, (Jordan) Pickford is beaten here, it’s a massive wakeup call that first-half, they did that the other night and they did weaken so England will be hoping that happens here as well.”

This is how fans reacted as Gareth Southgate reveals the reason behind not playing Phil Foden at the 2022 World Cup so far…

@Harry_Dowsett1: If he’s not played a big part against two of the weakest sides we are likely going to face, when GS is going to be most attacking, then I don’t see how Foden plays a big part in any other game. GS is only going to get more and more defensive as the opposition gets stronger

@BerryCorner1881: Only person putting unneeded pressure is you Gareth by not picking your best players.

@Horwichbloke19: He’s already created an issue by not picking him. If Phil doesn’t perform like prime Maradona, he’ll be subjected to all kinds of criticism.

@Walmley1: Quite like GS and his tournament record is good, but how can he claim PF is going to play a big part when he hasn’t played yet and we might only have 2 games to play. Possibly 1. 🤷‍♂️

@gaviola75: There’s only one manager in world football who wouldn’t play foden for England, and unfortunately he happens to be the England manager

@nelly19670: Unfortunately the weak link in the England set up is the manager

@Iro99: Unfortunately this is why we will never win this World Cup! His decisions are based on being too conservative, it took the public to make him realise, when he is the so called expert, such a shame and sadly it will happen more in this tournament with selection and substitutes.

@Forman5Craig: I don’t think any manager should have to justify why he is or isn’t picking specific players. Let him be judged by results. If the FA have faith in him to manage the national team then let him manage them

@MarkBoingWalker: Well you’d better hurry up and play him before we’re knocked out!!!

@jibberjabber888: His mouth is saying yes, he’s head is shaking no. Useless manager

@brittain_joe: Start playing him then you dickhead.

@adambwesley: sooo he’s gonna be on the bench for the foreseeable future lol

@chairmick: Well what a prick he now looks he has chucked himself under the bus. 🤷‍♂️

@RCorless33: He’s acting like we have definitely got a load of games left. We could have 1, more than likely have 2, possibly have 3 etc. You’ve given him what, 20 minutes so far? Fuck off, Gareth.

@PhilMcGuire11: Southgate waffle! He will play a bit part at best

@ToonIanB: Mount over Foden is criminal

@Jake94Taylor: Let it be known that if Mason Mount starts ahead of either Foden or Maddison tonight then Southgate and Mount are engaging in buggery and should be arrested.

@bluemoonman49: Why does Gareth Southgate talk such nonsense about putting pressure on Phil Foden? Any pressure has been created by Southgate not doing his job properly.

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