"Turn Phil Foden on!" »

Jamie Carragher asked the same question as many people on Friday night: why didn't Phil Foden bring England on against USA?

England struggled to pose a serious threat to Matt Turner in the United goal as the Three Lions drew 0-0 in their second World Cup game.

It was a hugely disappointing performance that reminded many of England's goalless draw against Scotland at the European Championships last year.

Gareth Southgate's side then topped their group and reached the final of the competition, so no need to panic, folks.

As England lacked creativity and looked tired and uninspired against the United States, Southgate chose not to introduce Foden.

He turned instead to Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford, all of whom did shit after their arrival.

Gary Neville said the decision not to start Foden and leave him on the bench afterwards was "interesting", but held back in his general criticism of Southgate, for whom he has great "respect".

And Neville's best friend, Jamie Carragher, expressed his thoughts and asked, "Where the hell was Phil Foden" on Friday night.

Writing for The Telegraph, former Liverpool and England defender Carragher said:

"As England scrambled to create a chance against a well-organized American side, you could almost hear a nation shouting on TV, 'Get Phil Foden on'.

"I was among those who hoped Gareth Southgate would turn to the Manchester City youngster. It was disconcerting that he stayed on the bench as the game called for his creativity.

"If you had told me before the tournament that Foden would only play 19 minutes of the first two games of the World Cup, my first thought would be that he must be injured.

"When I was asked to select my starting XI for the opening game against Iran, Foden was in on it. The more the team was studied, the harder it was to leave him out He has too much special talent.

“Talk to any football fan who has followed the Premier League for the last three years and ask them ‘who is the most naturally gifted English footballer today?’ and 80% would answer Foden. The other 20% aren't watching closely enough.

"For Southgate to turn to their substitutes and opt for City team-mate Jack Grealish ahead of him was odd. Would Pep Guardiola turn to Grealish ahead of Foden if he was looking for a winning goal? Highly unlikely.

"To be fair to Southgate, it must be acknowledged that Foden has yet to produce his Manchester City form in an England shirt. The larger question must be why and how can this be resolved sooner rather than later. Preferably in this tournament. He belongs on this stage.

"Foden had plenty of opportunities for England, so it's not like Southgate ignored him. But despite being very early in his career, there were times when Foden saw him playing for his country when his situation reminded me of John Barnes in his heyday.

“For those too young to remember, between 1987 and 1991 Barnes was not only the most talented English player of his generation, he was one step ahead of the rest. Thierry Henry during his prime years at Arsenal. That's how good Barnes was for Liverpool.

"Yet to England he was only a shadow of himself."

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Foden has scored eight goals in 20 appearances for Manchester City this season and is the favorite of Pep Guardiola, who recently signed a new contract.

Southgate has launched Bukayo Saka into Foden's preferred right-winger position in England's two World Cup games so far, with the 21-year-old winger playing for Premier League leaders Arsenal. this season.

And Carragher fears City's playmaker ability won't be used by the Three Lions manager.

"It has often been asked whether the problem was Barnes or England," he continued. "Surely it's not that hard to welcome a rare talent?

“It is imperative that history does not repeat itself with Foden. Already, it is a shame that he is not one of the first choices of the starting line-up, let alone the essential first player in the bench.

"When Foden starred in...