by Gary Neville and Roy Keane were ‘surprised’ Gareth Southgate did NOT get ‘huge talent’ Phil Foden off the bench as England put up a ‘terrible performance’ in their goalless draw with the United United States.
Gary Neville and Roy Keane wonder why Phil Foden didn’t get a chance to shine as England were held 0-0 with the United States at the 2022 World Cup.
The Three Lions produced a lackluster performance in their second Group B game against the United States, despite going four points to all but securing their progress into the knockout stages.
Manchester City star Foden is often hailed as one of the best talents the Three Lions possess, but he hasn’t had a chance in Qatar yet.
Pundits wonder why Phil Foden didn’t have a chance as England drew 0-0 with USA
The Three Lions produced a lackluster performance in their second Group B game against the United States
ITV pundits Neville, Keane and Ian Wright were all shocked that boss Gareth Southgate didn’t even bring in the attacking midfielder in the latter stages of the game, aiming to risk the result.
The 22-year-old has become a key figure for Pep Guardiola’s City and has been in impressive form so far this campaign, scoring eight goals and adding three more assists.
But there was still no room for him, as Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish were favored on the bench, and Mason Mount is often picked ahead of him in the starting lineup – while the boss also brought Jordan Henderson to the place of Jude Bellingham. .
Neville said: “But sometimes our midfield didn’t click tonight, sometimes we looked tired.” I didn’t think we connect in combinations in midfield, I thought their midfield was much better and I was disappointed not to see Foden.
“I know I mentioned it at halftime, but for me that talent is huge. I haven’t seen anything like it.
Gary Neville (pictured) was ‘surprised’ Foden didn’t come off the bench for England
‘I know we have Bellingham and Grealish and others, but Gareth prefers Mount, he prefers Saka, he prefers Sterling at the moment, but for me, for Foden not to be in and amongst that in a starting XI, and not to come out of the bench, is interesting.
Former Manchester United midfielder Keane fully agreed with Neville, surprised by Gareth Southgate’s decision not to use Foden on the bench.
“We were surprised to see him [Foden not coming on]. Obviously Gareth will have his reasons of course, he’s the manager and he knows the players better than anyone, but we were all surprised watching the game saying you’d expect Foden to arrive,’ Keane said .
The former Manchester United legend and ITV pundit fully agrees with Gary Neville’s comments
“The substitutes that arrived didn’t really have an impact, I know they did well the other day, but England looked on their feet, they looked on pace.
“Set pieces that you would never have thought had something coming from that, so actually a terrible performance.”
The former Arsenal striker Wright also agreed with Neville and Keane, even insisting that Foden is used to playing against teams that block attacks defensively.
ITV pundit Ian Wright thinks Foden was suited to the game from his Manchester City experience
“At Manchester City, he [Foden] has to deal with a lot of this kind of low block play.
“He is someone who is adept at finding those spaces and making a pass or two to Man City where they have cut him down.
“But we have to give USA a lot of credit for the way they defended, I think their midfield was very good, I think the only thing they lack is a real threat in attack. “
Many will expect Foden to be given the nod against Wales in England’s final group stage game on Tuesday night.
