Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Gareth Southgate to deploy Phil Foden in a different position for England’s next game at the Euros.
In England’s opening game of the tournament, where they beat Serbia 1-0, the Manchester City star completed the full 90 minutes in the left-wing position.
This then led to numerous voices in the media sharing their frustration at Southgate’s decision to play the 24-year-old out wide, with Alan Shearer saying that this isn’t the ideal way to get the best out of Foden.
Now though, ahead of England’s second group game of the tournament against Denmark on Thursday, another pundit and former top-flight star has shared his verdict on what position Foden should be playing in throughout the remainder of the competition.
Gabby Agbonlahor demands Gareth Southgate play Phil Foden in a different position
The former Villa striker was not shy when it came to sharing his thoughts on where Foden would be better off playing when discussing the matter on talkSPORT.
He said: “I remember when I played, 4-4-2, two central midfielders. One midfielder goes forward and the other one sits.
“We talk about these formations, the perfect formation for England is [Jude] Bellingham and [Declan] Rice next to each other, Foden ahead of them. Foden is wasted out there.
“Get the best of him in that number 10 role with Bellingham joining him. [Bukayo] Saka on the right. [Harry] Kane stay as far forward as you can.
“He’s been fitted in because he’s the player of the season, he’s an outstanding talent, he has to play so we’ve fitted him in on the left. If you’re watching the game the other night, it’s crying out for [Anthony] Gordon.
“For me, the Denmark game, Gordon off the left, Bellingham and Rice, drop Trent and play Foden in the 10 [with] Kane and Saka.”
An attacking-midfield role could get the best out of Foden
Against Serbia, the 2023/24 Premier League player of the season made just one key pass and failed to register even one shot at goal or attempt a dribble.
Taking into account how Foden scored 13 goals in 15 games as an attacking-midfielder for City last season, it’s easy to see why Agbonlahor thinks this is where the six-time Premier League winner should be starting for England.
Moving forward, we agree with Agbonlahor that Southgate should start Foden in the position where he said to the official Manchester City website that he enjoys playing in the most, which we feel would be an ideal way to get the best out of the player.