Jamie Carragher believes Gareth Southgate should select Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham to start for England.
Foden scored his second career hat-trick for Manchester City in Monday night’s 3-1 Premier League win over Brentford.
The England international has had a fantastic season for Pep Guardiola’s side, and on Monday night, he demonstrated his abilities in the center.
It was a move that was hailed in post-match analysis, and now Sky Sports commentator Carragher has urged Southgate to do the same for England.
Carragher stated after the game, ‘It’s pretty fascinating what he suggested about playing more centrally. In terms of natural talent in the England team, you believe Jude Bellingham is the only one who can compete with him.
‘In the last 18 months, Bellingham has nearly taken over the England squad, and the team will be formed around him. I believed it was going to be Phil Foden two or three years ago. It has not quite occurred.
‘When he plays for City, you never know whether he’ll be playing on the right, left, or central. I don’t believe that benefited him.
Foden has traditionally played a wide role under Guardiola, but has looked rejuvenated while playing down the middle of the pitch.
Carragher went on to say: “I think it is a bit of a conundrum for the England manager.” If Bellingham is ranked number 10, does that mean Foden must be on the left and Bukayo Saka on the right? The fact that he’s had to change positions so frequently has definitely hampered him.
‘I expected David Silva to go on and play more centrally as a left-footed player, but that did not happen. Pep Guardiola appears to place a high value on playing centrally, believing that playing wider would allow him to understand the game more effectively.
‘For England, there is no reason why he cannot play in that position. I believe criticism of Gareth Southgate’s defensiveness is exaggerated, but this would be a daring move, and why not when you have players of that caliber? In Spain, he and Bellingham would play as No. 8s.
Foden scored his first goal of the game just before half-time, capitalising on a defensive error to shoot from close range.
He increased his score in the second half, stooping low and directing his header into the back of the net with incredible precision.
The 23-year-old scored his last goal of the game after receiving the ball on the outskirts of the Brentford box, driving past the defenders, and slipping it into the net.
It was his second career hat-trick, the first coming against local rivals Manchester United during City’s 6-3 victory in 2022.
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