11 September 2023 , 21:30
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Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has cast doubt on whether Phil Foden can play in midfield for England.
Foden, 23, says he wants to play in midfield rather than as a winger but faces major competition on the flanks at international level. But Southgate insists that he does not even play that role for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and it seems unlikely he will get that chance for England either.
Southgate said: “He doesn’t for his club. So presumably there is a reason for that. It depends on the level of the game, really. In the middle of the park, everyone wants to talk about the with the ball but there is a lot of detail without the ball, and in games at the weekend, you are playing opponents who are so clever with their passing and movement that you have to be spot on with your responsibilities.
“If you don’t, you don’t get the flow of the game. You’d have to speak to Pep, who is the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide. He’s always got the freedom to drift if we play him wide. And that’s important.
“But we are very happy with Phil. He’s played in the Euros, came on in the semi-final of the Euros and had a big impact, he’s played in World Cups for us, he’s only 23 years old, he’s got amazing experiences. He is still progressing and learning but he is a super player for us to have.”
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Can Phil Foden play more centrally for England? Have your say in the comments section
Gareth Southgate used Phil Foden from the bench against Ukraine (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)Southgate has warned it would be “ridiculous” to field an experimental line-up and risk defeat to Scotland. The manager will make several changes for the 150th Anniversary Heritage Match but plans to go for experience to make sure there are no upsets at Hampden Park.
England boss Southgate, who is set to start with Aaron Ransdale in goal, said: “You can't overly experiment because that would be ridiculous. I think the first thing is we can't fiddle around with the team because we're playing a top level side, who are going to be at full tilt and giving us a really high level challenge.
“You’ve got to find the balance and find out about certain players. You have got to be bold enough to do that. We have always taken on high-level friendlies throughout our time because we will learn more even if it does not always help your win percentage!
Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson started in England's midfield in Wroclaw (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)“For us it is more important that we learn as well as play well and what can we take from the game. We have to find the balance. We have got to be strong because they are a good team and we are coming into an environment where you have got to have the personality to play. But we do want to find some things out as well.
"This will be something that is different to what all of those who were not in the last England v Scotland encounter will not have faced.”
Southgate warned England will face not just an in-form Scotland team but also a red-hot atmosphere against their old rivals. However, Southgate insisted he trusts his players to make the right choices on the pitch even if he struggles to get his message across.
Southgate said: “I think the players have to make all the important decisions. They have to react to things on the field - but there are always opportunities to get messages onto the field from those that are close to you.
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“I know some managers are keener to do that earlier and more rapidly and more vividly. We all have different ways of working. But also there is an element of you have got to trust the players sometimes I think.
“We prepare the team well. When we went a goal down the other day, I did not feel the need to come out on the touchline and make a load of fuss.”