Gareth Southgate blasted for 'wasting' Phil Foden's talent at Euro 2024 as ex-England striker calls on Man City star to be played centrally in huge semi-final against the Netherlands

Jermain Defoe has claimed that Southgate hasn't used Foden corrrectly at Euro 2024 because the Manchester City player's skillset is best in the centre of the pitch, likening the situation to Joe Cole's struggles in England's 2000s golden generation.

Off the back of the best season of his career at club level, Foden is yet to score or assist in five starts at Euro 2024. He began England's first four games on the left flank, where critics claimed he was unable to get involved consistently. Southgate actually moved him centrally for the quarter-final against Switzerland after switching to a 3-4-2-1 formation.

"Phil Foden shouldn't be playing on the left. He has to play between the lines and he has to be central," Defoe told William Hill'sUp Front with Simon Jordan. "If they can get the ball to him in the right areas then he will cause damage, but I feel like he's being wasted. I remember a similar situation happening with Joe Cole. He used to play on the left for England and I always used to think that if he played central and you could get him the ball, we'd have a better chance of winning the game. Players like him can just do something with the ball off the cuff. Every England fan is saying the same thing about Foden, he has to be playing central."

Foden managed 39 combined goals and assists in 53 appearances for Manchester City in 2023-24, earning him the title of FWA Footballer of the Year. He predominantly lined up on the right, but also occasionally played centrally on the left too.

It would come as a surprise if Foden were to suddenly be benched at this late stage of the tournament. But whether Southgate will stick with 3-4-2-1 or revert to 4-2-3-1 for Wednesday's semi-final against the Netherlands remains to be seen and will determine where the No.11 lines up on the pitch.