Gareth Southgate Questions Phil Foden’s Ability To Play Central: “He Doesn’t For His Club, So Presumably There’s A Reason For That”

Gareth Southgate has responded to criticism from England fans about playing Phil Foden centrally, saying that if he doesn’t do it for his club then he won’t do it for the international side.

Phil Foden Down The Middle

England boss Gareth Southgate has ruled out playing Phil Foden down the middle for the Three Lions, saying that if he doesn’t do it for Manchester City then he won’t do it for his country.

Southgate recently came under criticism for some of his starting lineup decisions, with Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire both still starting for England despite poor recent form.

The Three Lions boss praised Foden’s club manager Pep Guardiola as the ‘best manager in the world’ but instead that he won’t be playing the 23-year-old in a central role for England.

“He doesn’t [play centrally] for his club, so presumably there’s a reason for that.

“You’d have to speak with Pep [Guardiola], the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide. He’s always got the freedom to drift if we play him wide and that’s important. It depends on the level of the game, really.”

🗣️ "Well, he doesn't for his club, so presumably there's a reason for that."

Gareth Southgate has questioned Phil Foden's desire to play in central midfield 👀 pic.twitter.com/IdLbj1F5o1

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 12, 2023

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Foden has played 26 matches for England, scoring just three goals and recording eight assists from predominantly a wide role in the national team.

“Obviously in the middle of the park everybody wants to talk about them with the ball, but there’s a lot of detail without the ball.

“In games like at the weekend [against Ukraine], you’re playing opponents that are so clever with their passing and movement that you’ve really got to be spot on with pressing angles, your responsibilities.

“If you don’t, then you don’t have the flow of the game, you don’t get the flow of the game.”

Foden featured off the bench for England against Ukraine in their 1-1 draw at the weekend, with the City star expected to play a role off the bench yet again tonight against Scotland.

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