Michael Owen tweeted his frustration about Phil Foden not being asked to come on for England in their 0-0 draw against USA in the World Cup.
If there’s one man that most certainly raves about the wonderkid’s talent, it is Owen who tipped the Sky Blues attacker to win the Ballon d’Or one day (PFA’s YouTube channel).
It seemed like the game was crying out for the “Stockport Iniesta.”
For starters, the double pivot of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham struggled to break the lines and dictate from deep.
Furthermore, the Three Lions’ attackers were also struggling to create chances on Friday night.
And yet, Foden remained an unused substitute in the contest.
Owen expresses his annoyance at Foden not coming on
Michael Owen tweeted his surprise at Phil Foden not being asked to come on for England during their scoreless draw against USA.
“Astonished that we’ve used 14 players so far, yet our most talented player is still sat on the bench”, he commented.
This viewpoint was shared by the masses across social media.
After all, the Manchester City superstar is his nation’s only No.10 who is capable of playing an incisive final ball and driving his side forward due to his sublime ball-carrying ability.
Simply put, Foden is England’s most creative player and for a midfielder of Jordan Henderson’s profile to be brought on before him was a baffling sight.
Southgate has failed to appreciate Foden’s game
Phil Foden is a rare English talent.
The Man City academy graduate is in the mould of an archetypal Spanish creative midfielder, a type of profile rarely produced by England.
And yet, Gareth Southgate fails to hand the youngster the keys as a No.10 and instead, tends to favour more risk-averse profiles of midfielders renowned for their workrate.
When Foden was just 19 years old and on the periphery of things at club level, Guardiola went as far as to say that City would not buy a David Silva-replacement due to his sheer presence (The Guardian).
The fact that Southgate insists on not handing such a talent more responsibility is what gets under the skin of Michael Owen and fellow frustrated England supporters.
