England were labouring - if not floundering - on the world's biggest stage and everyone was asking the same question: where's Phil Foden?
The enthusiasm and optimism produced by England's 6-2 thrashing of Iran earlier in the week dissipated just as quickly as it had appeared, as Gareth Southgate's side played out a dour goalless draw with the United States in their second World Cup group stage match.
England were disjointed and flat from the first whistle until the last, unable to play through the US' excellent pressing front or string together coherent attacks. As the second half progressed and nothing changed, Southgate looked to his bench for inspiration.
Jude Bellingham was sacrificed for holding midfielder Jordan Henderson, an understandable switch given that England were struggling to get the ball from defence to attack without losing it. The need to keep hold of the ball more was the reason behind Jack Grealish replacing Raheem Sterling.
Both did what they could, but it seemed strange that Southgate refused to bring on Foden, the most technically gifted English player of a generation.
To be clear, I'm not suggesting that Southgate should have started Foden on the wing or introduced him off the bench in that position. Bukayo Saka has enjoyed an excellent start to the season and was one of England's best performers on Monday, while Sterling seems to have a knack for performing in an England shirt.
Southgate made the obvious move of introducing Grealish on the flank in hope of gaining some control. What was baffling was the manager's decision to leave Mason Mount - playing as an attacking midfielder just behind Harry Kane - on the field for the full 90 minutes. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what Mount did wrong because, well... he just didn't really do much at all.
Mount didn't make any glaring errors, but he couldn't provide the creative spark in the middle of the field that is so important when breaking down well-organised opponents. Foden could have done, but Southgate didn't trust him to play in a midfield role.
"We didn’t think it was a game for Phil in the middle because he doesn’t play there for his club," Southgate said after the match.
He is right, of course; Foden rarely plays in midfield for Manchester City. But there's a difference between not doing it often and being incapable of doing it.
Pep Guardiola has stressed on multiple occasions this season that Foden is capable of playing as an eight if needed, it's just that currently Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva represent better options. In Southgate's defence, Guardiola has also said that Foden doesn't quite have the level of 'control' to play there every week.
However, were you to stumble upon a portal that could transport you to an infinite number of alternative dimensions, there would not be a single one in which Mount is a better number eight than Foden. Yes, Mount plays the role regularly for Chelsea, but Foden is a level above in almost every single technical aspect.
It's not as if Foden doesn't understand the number eight role either; he came up through City's academy playing it. On the rare occasions Guardiola has pushed him back into midfield, the 22-year-old has impressed.
Mount is a very good footballer and does not deserve the criticism he receives. It's just that Foden is better.
"We love Phil and think he is a super player," Southgate also said. It's time to prove it, Gareth, or England could end up wasting the greatest talent of a generation.
KelvinMukiibiLeo
0
Mount can play but with a striker that creates spaces for the 10, if not Foden played a false nine half of last season at city making him a better option if Kane is to be playing behind the attacking midfielder
KelvinMukiibiLeo
1
Even H.Kane had to be substituted, he plays behind evn the defensive midfielders, conte made him a more defensive forward that nolonger pressures defences, Ford does it at united or evn Wilson, Southgate has to do subs tht favor game situations
Liwaeostyz
2
You are stupid to say Foden is better than Mount
Febaikrt
0
foden doesn't have heart and was never better than mount in all aspects of the game
most of you don't understand the game of football,mount is more technical and versatile than foden, forget if guardiola have the opportunity to work with mount, you will forget all those trash you're saying, even some days ago that your foden talked about mount,that he loved playing alongside him.
jasondrx77
0
it's also Peps fault, also uses him as sub not a starter
Subhomadridista
1
are you stupid what mount is good at does he have a good control is he a good goal scorer is he a good passer of the ball is he a creative player no bro foden is a better player 🤔
you are stupid to not understand that I am mocking the person who told me this
Subhomadridista
1
Stop telling lies I refuse to believe you
I am telling you truth his name was benchillwell with chelsea logo
Rohankerr
0
they are complaining about Mount bt when they were loosing in uefa national champions he was not even there he just played the last game when they drawn with Germany players who were there it was foden and others.
foden only play the two last game in the nations league dude
GeraldIzuchukwu
0
truth
Footballislife0811
0
take Saka out of this. he's currently the best England winger
Says who ? An Europa league player you must be joking to compare sake to foden Foden so clear ahead even the write up says best England talent at the moment.
Ronaldmutàfela
2
sterling must bench for foden
Rizanpty
2
Foden can play anywhere he is a champion , please Southgate dont waste this world cup, you and Harry can forget all your gay arm bands I want to see England win a world cup. The game isnt rocket science its attack, attacking play the game . Why keep our talent on the bench , I dont get it !
duzakoptyz
1
England is a team that can reach far but not with that manager he have no tatice an he don't know how to use the player an let the player play as one....everyone is like they don't know what they are doing
duzakoptyz
1
I don't know y people hyping Southgate he is a worthless manager with no tatice foden is a more creative player than mount that's clear.....your looking for a brake through pass foden have that y not take of mount an give foden a try
duzakoptyz
0
and one chelsea fan said to me mount is better than kroos
are you stupid what mount is good at does he have a good control is he a good goal scorer is he a good passer of the ball is he a creative player no bro foden is a better player 🤔
Kemcekpuz
0
they are complaining about Mount bt when they were loosing in uefa national champions he was not even there he just played the last game when they drawn with Germany players who were there it was foden and others.
I don't get this bias against Mount. He was the only player who had shot on goal.
Witemnruy
0
leave Mount alone even Harry kane played full game and he was not even performing well and Mount for me was better than many players in that team.
yes your right bro leave Mount Mount playe modan harry Kane modan Saka
kapbdelr
0
and one chelsea fan said to me mount is better than kroos
Stop telling lies I refuse to believe you
JusAKoolGuy
0
leave Mount alone even Harry kane played full game and he was not even performing well and Mount for me was better than many players in that team.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
JusAKoolGuy
0
they are complaining about Mount bt when they were loosing in uefa national champions he was not even there he just played the last game when they drawn with Germany players who were there it was foden and others.
Exactly bro...finally someone who sees through all the bullshit these people write
Yaeaepruyz
1
England will lose with Southgate at the helm. He's too unadventurous and will not make it in EPL
Vizikmnopy
2
they are complaining about Mount bt when they were loosing in uefa national champions he was not even there he just played the last game when they drawn with Germany players who were there it was foden and others.
Dupbdekmt
1
mount> foden Foden is hyped
Dupbdekmt
0
and one chelsea fan said to me mount is better than kroos
mount is better than foden
kopabcmsty
0
foden is very good and they should use him
Vizikmnopy
4
leave Mount alone even Harry kane played full game and he was not even performing well and Mount for me was better than many players in that team.
Gajaak
0
Southgate is just making excuses cuz he prefer more defensive minded players like Thomas Tuchel does..he's killing attacking players with his poor tactics.
Vetcimnops
1
wait for man city game to talk. This is a national team. Pep think National not club level.. No wonder you are only a club level manager
Zipacmnors
4
Foden’s case reminds me of Fede at Real Madrid. Why are we wasting our time on this? He is a natural and talented midfielder, he’s just constantly used on the flank due to other (better) central midfielders at club level. Like Fede, he had go on the flank as well because he had Kroos, Modric and Casi (now Tchou) in the middle. But off course, Uruguay use him in his natural midfield role. It takes nothing away! Foden deserves to be in that starting lineup.
wuoloruyz
0
If Foden play second Half England would have scored 3 oh 4:0
Yuyabmost
0
A sound coach will never start mount,saka,freakish and sterling ahead of foden that’s suicide foden is better than the whole front attack except Kane alone.
he is better in City not in English team,
eefylyn
0
That’s where he Foden started his professional and he’s been converted to an attacker cos of lack of power upfront in City Team…. Sometimes its Always good to read same sentence twice to get the actually message don’t just criticize cos is Pep and he was not the only one asking the same question about Foden not been used sir….
Foden plays better on the wings and has never played as an 8 not in city, not anytime in a big game with so much at stake so am with the coach on this one.
eefylyn
0
this is not a chelsea fun matters, i will start mount in front of foden. the midfield position that mount is playing we never see foden in that position. this world cup you can just go there to be doing experiment. so mount is good in that position than foden.
Read first before you start mumbling. some people just see a comment jump on it and start altering rubbish.
adeotiisaac
0
Learn how to read before commenting Henderson was brought on to bring the ball from the back to stop the pressing from the Americans and not the creative role
You be mumu God know in points of ur views what Henderson brought front ??drunken mistakes
wiadkortyz
0
and one chelsea fan said to me mount is better than kroos
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
tuocinpruy
1
He's capable of playing an eight and actually playing an 8 are two different things. please cut the coach some slack! if almighty Guardiola has not played him there why disturb the coach?
this is not a chelsea fun matters, i will start mount in front of foden. the midfield position that mount is playing we never see foden in that position. this world cup you can just go there to be doing experiment. so mount is good in that position than foden.
GPaul
2
Southgate he will regret this ooho
Yeuiknorsy
0
To me I guess some players pay him differently cuz why bringing Henderson in not foden so he know more than guadiola? A very stupid coach
Learn how to read before commenting Henderson was brought on to bring the ball from the back to stop the pressing from the Americans and not the creative role
Holyiphe4336
1
A sound coach will never start mount,saka,freakish and sterling ahead of foden that’s suicide foden is better than the whole front attack except Kane alone.
take Saka out of this. he's currently the best England winger
Subhomadridista
6
and one chelsea fan said to me mount is better than kroos
moshfatboy123
2
"Bcoz he does not play in the middle at his club"??? Really? Phil Foden is highly rated not just for his finishing, passing or technical abilities.... All these comes only after his versatility to adapt to different roles!! Of all the players this Manager has in his team, Foden is the only one who has played as a Striker, Left winger, Right winger and as an Attacking Midfield role surrounded by cluster of World class talents at City as well..... And as a young emerging talent, he has excelled and adapted quickly to all four roles whenever he has been asked to play there!! Yet, yu don't bring him in when yu need goals and creation,,, saying Pep doesn't use him like he wants to!! I can clearly say that Southgate doesn't even know y Pep uses him in the wide roles more often (To improve his vision and decision making)!! This guy is nuts really to give such a statement!!
Thanks for the analysis Bro. Now I see clearly that Southgate lack some football knowledge, wasting resource..:
moshfatboy123
2
He's capable of playing an eight and actually playing an 8 are two different things. please cut the coach some slack! if almighty Guardiola has not played him there why disturb the coach?
That’s where he Foden started his professional and he’s been converted to an attacker cos of lack of power upfront in City Team…. Sometimes its Always good to read same sentence twice to get the actually message don’t just criticize cos is Pep and he was not the only one asking the same question about Foden not been used sir….
nawabimnsz
6
Am a Chelsea fan and not in a million years would I ever start mount over Foden never it’s blasphemy
eefylyn
2
He's capable of playing an eight and actually playing an 8 are two different things. please cut the coach some slack! if almighty Guardiola has not played him there why disturb the coach?
Footballislife0811
1
foden doesn't have heart and was never better than mount in all aspects of the game
Bias fan mount to foden that’s stupid foden is well ahead he never shy away on big games go learn bro 😎 do you know more than pep?
adeotiisaac
0
To me I guess some players pay him differently cuz why bringing Henderson in not foden so he know more than guadiola? A very stupid coach
Footballislife0811
7
A sound coach will never start mount,saka,freakish and sterling ahead of foden that’s suicide foden is better than the whole front attack except Kane alone.
yetaklrsty
2
foden doesn't have heart and was never better than mount in all aspects of the game
truthisbitter
2
They better lose and come back quickly cos wasting time playing sluggish football is a waste of time!!! England need a foreign manager!
leyabilny
5
It's so funny when England Manager Losergate said, Foden is not good to play midfield. Why Losergate forgot, Rodri, Silva, KDB & Gundogan... Pep plays Foden Winger bcoz they av Amazing world class Midfield.