The ‘best coach in the world,’ Pep Guardiola, prefers to use the 23-year-old out wide, according to Gareth Southgate, who has said he won’t play Phil Foden through the middle.
Phil Foden’s potential to be an outstanding central player for England has been questioned by Gareth Southgate.
According to the Three Lions manager, Pep Guardiola, the “best coach in the world,” doesn’t even consider using the Manchester City star in the middle of the field.
Despite his talent, 23-year-old Foden hasn’t really cemented a spot in this England team.
He started games during the World Cup but hasn’t done so since.
He was a substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine, which ended the Three Lions’ unbeaten streak in the race for Euro 2024. The City star may have a chance to showcase his talents on Tuesday night against Scotland, but Southgate is hesitant to give him the freedom in a central position.
According to Southgate, “He doesn’t [play there] for his club.”.
Therefore, it is likely that there is a reason for that.
Really, it depends on the game’s difficulty level.
“Everyone wants to talk about the ball in the middle of the park, but there is a lot of detail without the ball.
In weekend games, you face opponents who are so skilled at passing and moving around that you have to be precise with your pressing angles and other responsibilities because if you aren’t, the game won’t flow.
Tell us in the comments if Phil Foden ought to have a key role at the club level.
Phil Foden is not a key member of Pep Guardiola’s lineup.
“You would need to speak with Pep, the best coach in the entire world, who plays him from a distance.
If we play him wide, he will always have the freedom to drift. And that is crucial.”.
Given that the match will be played in a hostile environment to commemorate 150 years since these two countries first met, Southgate didn’t seem eager to make many changes for Tuesday’s match at Hampden.
However, it would undoubtedly be a chance for 23-year-old Foden to show the form that has made him one of the most intriguing young prospects in European football.
Phil has our full support, Southgate said. “He’s only 23 years old, but already he’s had amazing experiences.
He played in the Euros, entered the game in the Euros semifinal and made a significant contribution.
Phil Foden hasn’t quite mastered his starting position for England.
He is still developing and learning, but he is a fantastic player to have. There is still intense competition for the wide positions, and Southgate’s unwillingness to abandon the 4-3-3 formation limits his ability to play in a more central position with players like Jordan Henderson ahead of him in the three-man midfield.
A player who has been with us since a young age and was a member of the squad that won the junior (Under-17) World Cup, Southgate continued, “We have expectations of every player.
However, he is competing for us against Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and every other player in that area of the field.
“And again, we are not involved in his day-to-day development at his club, where there are players of an incredibly high caliber.
“But I’m sure Pep would feel the same way, he’s played in really crucial games for them, in a team that has won so much, so we’re happy with his progress,” I said.”.
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