Rio Ferdinand has questioned Gareth Southgate‘s use of Phil Foden and urged him to build England’s midfield around the Manchester City star.
Foden replaced the absent Bukayo Saka on the right wing in the Three Lions’ 1-0 loss to Brazil in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday night, with Jude Bellingham in the No10 role as Anthony Gordon deployed on the left wing for his debut.
Conor Gallagher, meanwhile, was selected alongside Declan Rice at the base of the midfield, before making way for England newcomer Kobbie Mainoo in the second half.
But Ferdinand suggested Southgate should deploy Foden through the middle in a more attacking midfield, alongside Bellingham and Rice.
‘If he was playing centrally for England, that would be the strongest part of that team,’ the former Manchester United defender said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube show.
Rio Ferdinand believes Gareth Southgate must deploy Phil Foden in central midfield
Ferdinand has urged Southgate to play Foden alongside Jude Bellingham in midfield
‘Him playing alongside someone like Bellingham, they would find a way to make that work – them and Declan Rice.
‘Putting him out on the left, on his own, isolated half the time – or the right – he’s not going to get into the feel of the game. What we’ve been seeing this year, at City, has been him in central areas where he’s involved in the heartbeat of the game constantly.
‘I’m just thinking as a manager, if you’re seeing that, how does that not translate to your England team? I don’t understand.’
Foden is in the middle of a superb season for City, scoring 18 goals and registering 10 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions so far.
The 23-year-old has exactly the same tally of goals and assists – seven and four respectively – in 20 starts as right winger than he does as attacking midfielder, despite having started just 11 times in the position this term.
And Ferdinand suggested Foden’s performances for City deserved to be recognised by Southgate ahead of the Euros.
‘Gareth Southgate said once that he isn’t playing central for his club so he can’t pick him. But he’s played central for his club this season and been arguably one of the best players in the league,’ he said.
‘Foden, in the central areas, for the best team in Europe, this season, has been playing centrally and been the guy they’ve looked to for inspirational moments to get them results and unlock things.’
Foden started on the right win in place of the injured Bukayo Saka against Brazil
Southgate has said he wouldn’t pick Foden in a role different to the one he plays for Manchester City
But the England international as shone as attacking midfielder for City this season
With Kalvin Phillips dropped, Gallagher, Mainoo and Jordan Henderson are the main contenders to partner Rice in central midfield this summer, but Ferdinand insisted Southgate had to find room for Foden.
‘I like Conor Gallagher, I think he’s got a place in that squad right now, but I think that Phil Foden – just on performance only, forget about what you think of him as a talent – why’s he not playing in there?
‘If Gareth has been to those games and seen the way Phil Foden has played in central areas, how is he not thinking that he just has to get him in the team and play him in there [centrally].
‘Because the kid is doing it at the best team in Europe. Phil Foden is a player that can play left, can play right, can play centre, he’ll adapt, but only to a certain level that the team will allow him to in the right position.