Manchester City attacking midfielder Phil Foden is expected to start for England in their third World Cup group match against Wales today.
There was a lot of criticism when manager Gareth Southgate didn’t even use him from the bench in the 0-0 draw against the USA and City supporters on Twitter fear he could be under too much pressure to perform:
He’ll be the first one to come off at 60th minute
— Arbin 🇧🇪 (@mcfckc_) November 29, 2022
They are going to cook him if he doesnt perform…this is why this pressurs wasnt needed
— Joanndungu27 (@Jn_sq27) November 29, 2022
The slander when he drops a stinker with all this unnecessary pressure 😭😭
— CityKevin⁹ (@Mcfc_Kevinn) November 29, 2022
England’s best player starting shouldn’t be breaking news, but Southgate made sure it is
— 🗿 (@Oilfc96) November 29, 2022
Its a trap
— ShiekhDias (@DeBruyne0518) November 29, 2022
Imagine the pressure on the boy i pity him honestly 💔 it may not look like it but this might be the most important game of his career
— Isra (@Israelkeenja) November 29, 2022
Annoys me that this will be like his chance to prove himself, then he doesn’t score or assist a few it’s like he had his chance didn’t do nowt when players get picked consistently and perform bad and keep their place!
— Dave Oatesy (@DaveOatesy) November 29, 2022
Foden deserves to be given his opportunity but it remains to be seen whether he will take it or not. He has struggled to recapture his club form at international level and there is a feeling that Southgate simply doesn’t trust him enough.
It is believed that Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling will be the one to make way for Foden, while Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford could start on the other flank ahead of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. As usual, captain Harry Kane will lead the line, with England knowing that only a heavy defeat will stop them from qualifying for the knockout stages.