Manchester City and England wide man Phil Foden’s selection for Gareth Southgate’s starting lineup in the Three Lions’ final World Cup group stage clash against Wales should be an “easy decision” to make, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The 22-year-old has only played in 19 minutes of the tournament so far, according to Transfermarkt.
England team news – Phil Foden
Despite the game descending into a limp 0-0 draw, England manager Southgate decided against bringing Foden onto the pitch in Friday evening’s stalemate with the USA, meaning that England will have to secure a point against Wales to guarantee their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Despite this decision, the Three Lions manager has told BBC Sport that the attack minded star has a “big part” to play in the side’s chances of success in Qatar.
England face Wales on Tuesday evening, and fans of the one-time World Cup winners will be hoping to see a more proficient attacking display than what was served up on Friday, with the Stockport-born winger’s chances of a start surely only increased by his lack of participation in the bore draw.
And Jones believes that it’s an “easy decision” for Southgate to put Foden into the starting lineup in what will be a huge clash between two British nations.
What has Jones said about Foden?
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “If he [Foden] doesn't [perform], then you've got a reason to leave him out for the foreseeable and Southgate could turn to it.
“He's got an array of attacking options there, it's not easy for him.
“But to be honest, for a game like this, I think it is quite an easy decision to put him in.”
Will Foden start against Wales?
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg has suggested that England need to start giving Foden minutes on the international stage or risk watching another English talent go to waste on the global stage, much in the same matter as that of Glenn Hoddle, a view which is also shared by many journalists alike.
Despite playing in just 72% of Premier League minutes for Manchester City this season, the academy product has still been able to produce seven goals and three assists in 14 appearances according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that he can offer a cutting edge that the Three Lions lacked on Friday last week.
And despite generally being classed as a winger, the City star buzzes around the pitch and frequently finds himself in goalscoring positions, as shown by the fact he ranks in the top 14% of attacking midfielders/wingers across Europe’s big five leagues as well as the Champions League and Europa League for touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 minutes (5.66) over the last 365 days, according to FBref.
Therefore, it may be time for Southgate to utilise his “generational talent”, as dubbed by The Athletic’s Daniel Taylor, and give the versatile forward player a start in Tuesday’s World Cup group stage decider.