Southgate sparks angry backlash as he questions Phil Foden's ability for England
Gareth Southgate has alienated a whole host of England supporters after suggesting Phil Foden doesn’t have the skill set to play in midfield.
Speaking ahead of the friendly against Scotland on Tuesday, 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 [Guardiola], who is the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide.”
Many England fans have reacted angrily to his answer, which they see as disrespectful to Foden. Others have pointed out that Southgate regularly plays other players out of position and keeps picking Harry Maguire, despite his lack of game time for Manchester United.
Former England international Stan Collymore tweeted: “Phil Foden plays wide because City in the last 6-7 years have had great central attacking midfielders to play 10. So "because Pep does" is a strange hill to die on. Foden isn't a right winger either, didn't stop him from starting there at Euro 21 Foden CAN play 10, so how about we give him the 10 games there to prove us wrong.”
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One fan wrote: “He’s a walking contradiction, plays others who don’t play for their clubs at all and then even plays the ones he picks out of position.” Another added: “England needs a competent manager to take them to new heights. This comment proves it more.”
“So Southgate isn’t aware Foden can and has been playing in midfield. He’s the England manager btw,” one wrote. Another concluded: “That Southgate quote on Foden may be one of the worst things I’ve ever read, how is this guy qualified to be a professional manager?”
Phil Foden's best position has sparked a debate (Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of Gareth Southgate's comments? Let us know below.
Southgate did go on to praise Foden, who has started the season in great form for Manchester City. “He’s always got the freedom to drift if we play him wide. And that’s important,” he said.
“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.”
Foden sparked the debate with his words after City’s 5-1 win over Fulham. He said: “It [the position] is one I can handle. There's a lot of responsibility, it's not just about going forward.
"You have to know what you're doing defensively and know who is around you. But, it's one that I can definitely do and I'm looking forward, if I can play there more often, what I can do in there.”
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