Ex-England defender Stuart Pearce has revealed his starting eleven for the Three Lions' World Cup campaign - but it doesn't include Man City star Phil Foden.
The 22-year-old has been one of the standout players in the Premier League this season having contributed six goals and three assists from his opening 11 games.
But despite his impressive record so far, Pearce believes that there are a number of other options who would be 'better' for England than the Man City starlet.
Speaking on TalkSport, the ex-defender listed his team: 'It lends itself to a 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal, Pickford. Across the back four; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw. Rice and Bellingham. And a front-three behind Harry Kane would be Saka, Mount and Sterling.
'There's 2 individuals who are near misses to be in the team. There's Reece James, who'd been brilliant before his injury. He would've pushed Walker but I think Walker has done better for England than James has.
'And Foden as well. The same way with Foden, I think he's done better for Man City than he has for England. And I see [Bukayo] Saka, [Mason] Mount and [Raheem] Sterling ahead of him.'
It's a cruel omission for the City star who has been one of the best players in England this season. His contributions have helped Pep Guardiola's side drop just seven points in the league and they sit top of their Champions League group.
And Foden wasn't the only City player that Pearce decided to exclude. Team-mate Jack Grealish was also left out as the ex-defender claimed he would only be a good 'impact'.
He said: 'When you're making changes for certain games and when you're looking for an impact off the bench, Grealish would impact that.
'I still see Saka, Mount and Sterling ahead of Foden, Grealish and [James] Maddison.'
Grealish, 27, has been less impactful that Foden this season but has still been a prominent figure for City since joining from Aston Villa in 2021.
England will kick-start their World Cup campaign against Iran in just under four weeks time.
Though a squad has not been announced yet, the FA handed FIFA a 55-man long list of players who could feature in Qatar. But, it will not be published and the individuals concerned have not been told, and neither have their clubs.
The FA regard the long list as a purely administrative issue and view November 14, when they must submit a final 26-man squad to FIFA, as the real deadline.
Jimmyswaggar
0
mount always played big game in Euro 2020 but poden ? he rarely started [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
foden had injury on the first match of Euro's that's why he didn't participate in the rest games get your fact right before commenting
BARAcker
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I knew this guy is high when I saw Maguire in the line up. Omitting Foden and picking Mount and Sterling shows how technically poor English explayers could be hence, none of them could do good as a manager. They only retire and pick up pundit job to be vomiting trash. So, if he happens to be a coach, he would drop Foden for those 2 Chelsea dullants? 😱
mount always played big game in Euro 2020 but poden ? he rarely started [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Kaiman
0
Stupid negative kids..just shut up and grow up..
Then u shud shutup up boi..what are u doing here? No life?
Yizabimpr
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Stupid negative kids..just shut up and grow up..
you sound stupid and negative too didn't you know that everyone entitled to their own opinions
fourthorty430
4
Your opinion
Findnorsz
3
same in Germany. ilkay gündogan is a very good player for ManCity but he doesn't performed in the German national team. he is too slow, makes too much mistakes, and he is physically to weak
Kaiman
0
Stupid negative kids..just shut up and grow up..
Kaiman
0
No one asking for your comments..no one is pulling your neck to support England..let him have his space..disagree? Just shut up and scroll to other news..
helkath
2
I knew this guy is high when I saw Maguire in the line up. Omitting Foden and picking Mount and Sterling shows how technically poor English explayers could be hence, none of them could do good as a manager. They only retire and pick up pundit job to be vomiting trash. So, if he happens to be a coach, he would drop Foden for those 2 Chelsea dullants? 😱
ladbkstz
0
England former players and stupidity
helkath
0
Who is his smoke plug please? That guy must have mixed Canadian loud with Chelsea hot drink before making the selection. Jude Bellingham, Foden and Saka remains the 3 England players in best form.
resabekpst
1
Saka has earned the right to start, i would leave Sterling out but he is one of Southgates favourites and the same goes for Maguire. He should play players who are playing for their clubs and playing well. We will have no chance with his favourites.
Nuoalpsuyz
1
sorry Stuart what club do you manage? or had any success managing no foden and maguire haha 😆 talk sport more like talk sh*t