FIFA WC: Phil Foden is a generational talent, says Gary Neville questioning Gareth Southgate’s team choice

Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has called Manchester City’s Phil Foden a generational talent while questioning Gareth Southgate’s England team choice. The Three Lions were held to a goalless draw against the USA in their second group-stage match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Gary Neville says Phil Foden is a generational talent (AP)

By India Today Web Desk: Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville has called Manchester City’s Phil Foden a generational talent while questioning Gareth Southgate’s England team choice. The Three Lions were held to a goalless draw against the USA in their second group-stage match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking after England’s 0-0 draw against USA, Neville said he doesn’t want to criticize Southgate too much but insisted on calling Foden a generational talent.

“I am very nervous about placing a lot of criticism at Gareth’s door because of the job he has done and the respect I have for him. I still trust that Gareth will get it right but I am struggling with Foden a little bit. Just because I think he is our best player in the country by a mile and I said it at half-time last night, Phil Foden is a generational talent.” said Neville.

Neville called Foden an amazing footballers and claimed that he would start for sides like Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Germany.

“Phil Foden is an amazing football player. He plays for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and I think he would play in the Argentina, Brazil, French, Spanish and German team in their starting Xis,” Neville added.

The Englishman compared Foden’s situation with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, saying he was also mishandled throughout his England career.

“I feel as though he has to play and he has to be played into form and it has to work with England. I went through my career with England where I felt at times Paul Scholes was mishandled and I woke up this morning thinking: ‘Has something happened in training, has something happened off the pitch, has something happened that means Gareth is not seeing what he wants to see,” said Neville.

England are set to face Wales in their final group-stage match after registering a 6-2 win against Iran and drawing their game against the USA.