Why Gareth Southgate did not play Phil Foden in England’s draw vs USMNT at FIFA World Cup 2022

Gareth Southgate, England’s manager, was trolled on social media and criticised by experts for keeping star mid-fielder Phil Foden on the bench throughout the team’s 0-0 draw against USMNT on Friday. The FIFA World Cup 2022 Group B tie was played at the Al Bayt Stadium. 

Also read: No Phil Foden in for Mason Mount? Fans slam Gareth Southgate as England draw vs USMNT

While Mason Mount, struggling, could not create enough chances for England’s star striker Harry Kane, Foden never made it out of the sidelines. Fans on social media were furious. 

“Does Southgate know Phil Foden is English?” one asked. 

“Will never understand why Trent & Foden are on the bench for Trippier & Mount. It’s like we’re allergic to good technical players,” another one tweeted. 

Also read: Yellow card for Luke Shaw? Fans protest after England player challenges USNMT’s Timothy Weah in FIFA World Cup

Former England player Gary Neville said that the England boss  made a mistake by overlooking Foden. 

“I know Phil Foden isn’t playing but for Phil Foden not to be playing for England is a real shame because he’s a massive talent,” Neville said at the half-time break on ITV Sport.

“I think he’s our best player, our best talent by a mile. He should be playing in that team.”

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Explaining his decision after the game, Southgate said, “Well we thought it was the right thing to keep the team from the start and then the wide players, we went with Jack and Marcus ahead of Phil on the changes. We thought Jack would keep the ball for us and take us up the pitch and we thought Marcus’s speed, we thought, would also be a threat going into that last part of the game.”

“I think a little bit of zip. We didn’t quite have that same zip but that’s going to happen, this is tournament football,” he further told ITV. 

With the draw in Qatar, England’s win-less run against USA in World Cups continues.