Foden is capable of beating a man, scoring and showing touches of genius but he aint no Messi or Maradonna going to win a game on his own - at least yet. He is very effective in a team with players around him who understand space and movement. Southgates tactics are about not conceding and scoring on the break rather than playing on the front foot.
TBH, this is a style that borrows from the rags and red scouse that has proved succesful. Unlike Southgate, I cannot see Pep being happy watching centrebacks passing between themselves. Nor a consistently bypassed midfield. KdB commented on the differences between playing for City and Belgium (who do not set up as defensively as England).
The media clamour for Foden has two possible narratives. First "we told you so". Second "Foden is not as good as you think". Phil needs like minded players around him to shine. As an analogy, Pickford would not get into Citys side. He is a good shot stopper with "erratic" distribution. In contrast Ederson would not look good playing for England. Peps sides play to avoid shots on their goal with the goalkeeper also playing an active role as an extra outfield player.
All this shows the mentality of Southgate and the FA with their lack of strategy and never ending incompetence with selecting and persisting with him yet another example.
