Soccer
Former England manager hits out at Phil Foden role for England
Watch Paul vs. Perry live July 20 on DAZN
Former England manager Sam Allardyce thinks that Phil Foden is being held back by being played in the wrong position by Gareth Southgate.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce thinks that the role he plays at Manchester City - coming in off the left wing - gets the most out of him.
Against Serbia on Sunday, the City player was out of sorts and left on the margins of the match as England won 1-0.
Allardyce would like to see him given the same role for the country as he has for Pep Guardiola.
He said: “I love watching Phil Foden. I’ve watched a lot of him at Manchester City and I truly believe that he was restricted in his role against Serbia. He wasn’t doing what he does for City, starting on the left and popping up in the centre, rotating his position. It seemed like he was made to stay wide on the left-hand side.
"When you see him at his best, he picks up the ball and can beat as many players as he wants. He plays with freedom at City, but he can’t seem to find that with England.
“He’s better off in a central role than on the left. He can play on the left but what he’s done from midfield for City this season has been outstanding, so that’s where I’d like to see him.
“Foden and Jude Bellingham could complement each other if they both played in the middle. I’d have Declan Rice as the only sitting midfielder because that’s my favourite system. Foden and Bellingham could share the load, when one goes forward the other sits back. If you do it right, you don’t get exposed.”
Live on DAZN : Check your region for PFL and PFL Europe on DAZN . Click here for details.
