England boss Gareth Southgate hints Phil Foden WILL get his World Cup chance

Gareth Southgate hints Phil Foden WILL get his World Cup chance after being overlooked in England’s bore draw with the United States as calls grow for the Man City midfielder to start crunch game against Wales

  • Southgate was criticised for not bringing Phil Foden off the bench in 0-0 draw
  • England struggled to break down a well-organised United States defence
  • Manchester City player has been restricted to one late sub appearance so far
  • That came with England cruising in their 6-2 victory over Iran in opening game
  • Three Lions boss has insisted Foden will get his chance to impress in Qatar 
  • Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results

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England boss Gareth Southgate insists Phil Foden still has a major part to play at the World Cup as the clamour for the forward to start against Wales intensifies.

Manchester City star Foden has made just one substitute appearance here in Qatar so far, coming on in the 6-2 win over Iran with the game effectively already won.

Southgate overlooked Foden in the 0-0 draw against the USA, instead choosing to introduce Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford off the bench.

England manager Gareth Southgate insists Phil Foden will get his World Cup chance

Foden was left on the bench during England's 0-0 draw with the United States

England manager Gareth Southgate (right) has insisted that Phil Foden (left) will get his chance at the World Cup after being left on the bench in Friday’s goalless draw with the United States

The in-form Manchester City star has been restricted to just one sub appearance so far

The in-form Manchester City star has been restricted to just one sub appearance so far

The decision drew criticism from some quarters with many onlookers believing Foden should be playing a more prominent role at the tournament.

And ahead of Tuesday’s game against Wales, Southgate has provided a major hint that he is ready to unleash Foden.

‘We love Phil, he is a super player,’ the England boss told ITV Sport.

‘He was into the first game, we decided not to put him into the second. But he is going to play an important part in this tournament for us, there is no question about that.

‘We haven’t got any issue with Phil. In September he started both games for us and we put him into the game versus Iran.

‘We decided to stick with that team and we felt the changes required something a little different for the USA.

Southgate brought Foden off the bench during England's opening game, a 6-2 win over Iran

Southgate brought Foden off the bench during England’s opening game, a 6-2 win over Iran

Given his club form, Foden might have expected to start both of England's matches so far

Given his club form, Foden might have expected to start both of England’s matches so far

‘But we are intending to be here as long as we can. And he is a super player and we think the world of him. And he is going to play a big part.

‘He can play off either wing. He can play as a false nine. He can play behind a striker, he doesn’t do that as often for his club. He works hard for the team and of course he has fabulous technical ability.’

Southgate is not expected to make wholesale changes to the team that started against the USA – though he is considering refreshing his forward line.

When asked about the prospect of making changes to his starting XI, Southgate replied: ‘We will see. We want to win football matches and we want to try to top the group if we can.

England disappointingly failed to score during their bore draw with the United States

England disappointingly failed to score during their bore draw with the United States 

However, England will qualify for the last-16 if they avoid a four-goal defeat to Wales

However, England will qualify for the last-16 if they avoid a four-goal defeat to Wales

‘So we’ve got to make sure there is some consistency in what we do and our performances are healthy.

‘There is always a balance of finding game time for players. But the priority is to win games, we have to win football matches.

‘We are going to play a team who are wounded. Who are going to have very high motivation to beat us.

‘We’ve got to be tactically correct and find our best level. We’ve got to make sure we are composed but also that we play with a real attacking vigour.’

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