download All Football App

Foden admits he DID feel pressure to perform vs Wales

  /  autty

Phil Foden felt under pressure to perform against Wales on Tuesday evening as Gareth Southgate decided to start him for England's final group game.

Southgate was criticised for leaving Foden on the bench during England's 0-0 draw with the USA. Fans felt the 22-year-old could have changed the game and prevented a goalless draw.

Foden said he had heard what was being said and explained how he felt the pressure to perform on Tuesday evening as he knew that 'everyone' had been 'pushing' for him to play.

Southgate - who had denied claims of a rift between himself and Foden earlier in the week - handed the 22-year-old his first World Cup start against Wales.

Foden lived up to expectations - winning the free-kick from which Marcus Rashford scored England's opening goal and added to the tally himself just one minute later.

Speaking on England's YouTube channel, Foden said: 'It is hard not to hear what everyone is saying but at the same time I try not to read too much and just try to be me and be humble and work hard.

'I felt a little bit of pressure going into the game to be honest because everyone was pushing for me to play. I just tried to remember to relax and play my own football.

'I was raring to get the start and thanks to Gareth, he started me against Wales. I thought that all the wingers had scored and 'when is it going to be my chance'? So to get the opportunity to play in such a big game and to score was extra special.

'It was one of the best feelings I have ever had in my career. You could see by my celebration, it meant so much. I expect more from myself, I expect more goals so to get in at the back post as a winger is what you always what to see.'

Foden went on to speak about the depth in Gareth Southgate's squad. He said the competition within the squad was good and that the talent coming off the bench could win them the World Cup.

'You can see the balance right through the team, it is not just the attackers doing well, Harry Maguire and John Stones have done brilliantly defending as well, it is a full team effort,' he said.

'A lot of different players have played but every time they have put on the England shirt, they have done the best they can. It is good to have that competition and everyone is ready to go – it's important.

'To win a World Cup you don't just have a strong XI, you have people that can come off the bench and change it, that's what we have here. We have so much talent on the bench so it is important.'

England topped Group B after beating Wales 3-0 on Tuesday evening at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar. As a result, they will face Senegal in the last-16.

Speaking about their upcoming opponents, Foden said: 'There's no easy game, you can see that by the group how tough USA was and Iran as well going on to beat Wales, it just goes to show there are no easy games.

'We don't really know them too much, we just have to sit down and review them and be ready for the game.'