Phil Foden was left twiddling his thumbs on the England bench as they laboured to a 0-0 draw against the United States of America on Friday night.

In what will surely go down as one of the least entertaining games of Qatar 2022, the Three Lions never really looked like breaking the American resistance as they once again failed to defeat the world's third-most populous nation at a World Cup.

And a great deal of England's problems laid with their lack of creativity with half-chances from Mason Mount and Harry Kane proving the only real flashpoints where Matt Turner had anything to worry about.

As such, it was only natural that there were screams and shouts for Foden, arguably the most technically gifted player in the entire England squad, to get amongst the action at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Southgate had favoured Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling out wide for the opening game against Iran and decided not to alter a winning formula after the Three Lions ran away 6-2 victors.

However, whereas Saka and Sterling had shone at the Khalifa International Stadium to the point that they amassed three goals between them, the same couldn't be said of their performance against Gregg Berhalter's men.

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This, in turn, led to Foden's name trending on Twitter with everyone from fans, pundits and even ex-England players openly banging the drum for the Manchester City ace to be introduced.

Ross Barkley, who was part of England's 2014 World Cup squad, made his point very clear by tweeting: "Get foden on, and watch how much the game changes!"

Fan reaction

Twitter fumes at Foden's absence.
Twitter fumes at Foden's absence.
Twitter fumes at Foden's absence.
Twitter fumes at Foden's absence.
Twitter fumes at Foden's absence.

But to the bewilderment of the thousands upon thousands of aggrieved fans on Twitter, Southgate instead opted for Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford as his three additions from the bench.

As we all know, it was an approach that failed to turn the tide, leaving everyone asking: why on earth didn't Southgate bring on Foden?

Well, that's what the journalists on the ground in Qatar are there for, because it will come as no surprise to learn that Southgate was faced with questions regarding his selection as soon as he was put in front of a microphone.

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Why didn't Southgate bring on Foden?

According to Sky Sports, the England boss shed light on the decision by explaining: "Whichever one of our forwards we didn't put on and we didn't win the game, I was going to be sitting here answering the question as to why I didn't put them on.

"We wanted to change the wide areas. We didn't think it was a game for Phil in the middle because he doesn't play there for his club.

"Defensively, it was a really complicated game for the midfield three to work out. It's partly why we felt Hendo [Jordan Henderson] could help us at that moment as well as giving Jude [Bellingham] the physical rest.

England's Foden watches on vs USA.

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Phil Foden of England looks on from the bench during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

"It was a game for experience in that middle area, so then it was a decision on the wide players and we thought Marcus [Rashford]'s speed would be important and give us something different, and we put Jack [Grealish] on just before that at a time when we weren't getting hold of the ball and we felt he could carry it up the pitch to relieve some pressure on our middle third.

"Without doubt we could have gone with Phil as he's a super player and we love him. Maybe, things could've been different, but that was the choice we went with on the night."

And according to talkSPORT, he also added: “I didn’t think it was a game for Phil inside because there was a lot more defensive work, a very strong midfield you’re playing against.

“He doesn’t play there normally, we brought him on as a No.10 the other day, but it’s not a position he plays at his club. So there’s a reason for that, without the ball. But he’s a super player, we love him."

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England, reacts after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Had Foden been brought on and England still drawn, would people have been just as angry if, say, Grealish or Rashford hadn't been introduced instead?

Is there good reason to believe that playing Foden away from his main position for City would perpetuate why it is that he's previously struggled to play just as well for England?

Well, these are the questions that ultimately orbit around Southgate's decision not to bring on Foden and why fans are so mystified by the fact that he didn't.

Either way, though, it would certainly be a shame if arguably the most talented England player of all was left picking up scraps of minutes as his first ever World Cup goes by.

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Southgate's not in Qatar simply to please the fans or please the players, sure, but the more that England struggle to unlock a defence, the more you've got to think that their safecracker in chief would be the man to make the difference.


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