‘He’s not even on the bench – don’t think I’ll bother watching’: Fans BLAST Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Phil Foden OUT of his matchday squad against Czech Republic… as Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Bukayo Saka all START for England
Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Buyako Saka have all been given the nod by Gareth Southgate to start England’s final group game against Czech Republic – but there’s no sign of Phil Foden in the matchday squad.
Southgate has been forced to rip up his plans for the game after Mount and Ben Chilwell were told to self-isolate for 10 days following close-contact with with Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour – who tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday – with Grealish the main beneficiary of their absence.
But while Grealish, Saka and Maguire make their returns, Foden’s name was missing from the 23-man squad, leaving plenty of England fans furious at Southgate’s decision.
Jack Grealish (right) will start for England against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening
However, Phil Foden (second right) was left out of Gareth Southgate’s 23-man matchday squad
Foden has been one of England’s bright sparks at the tournament and has helped the Three Lions qualify for the knockout stages.
However, following Foden’s omission before the 8pm kick-off at Wembley, fans took to social media to lambast the decision by Southgate.
After the starting lineup was announced, one fan tweeted: ‘Foden not even on the bench. I am not watching!’
Foden is present at Wembley and will watch from the sidelines but will play no part
Foden has been one of England’s bright sparks at the Euros and has started the last two games
Another agreed, tweeting: ‘Foden ain’t even on the bench. P*** off southgate pleaseeeee.’
One supporter pointed out how Southgate has named three centre-backs on the bench while Foden was nowhere to be seen.
They tweeted: ‘Southgate has 3 CB’s on the bench and Foden not in the squad. Bruddah if I catch Southgate.’
Southgate’s said his decision to leave out Foden was a ‘sensible’ one, with the Man City starlet on a yellow card and at risk of missing a game in the knockout stages.
England fans lambasted the decision to leave Foden out of the 23-man matchday squad
Another inclusion that left fans scratching their heads was Saka being given a start while Jadon Sancho was still left out.
One fans claimed Southgate’s decision to leave out Sancho was ‘absolutely ridiculous’, given how experienced the Borussia Dortmund man already is compared to the Arsenal winger.
‘Sancho too inexperienced… But Saka = gucci. Southgate is next level Brexit, won’t pick someone who isn’t playing in England, absolutely ridiculous,’ one fan said.
Harry Maguire makes a return to the England setup after seven-week lay-off through injury
Bukayo Saka (left) has also been handed a spot in the starting XI against Czech Republic
Supporters were also perplexed with how Saka was given the nod ahead of Jadon Sancho
Southgate made four changes to the starting XI with Mount and Chilwell missing the game against the Czechs after being forced to quarantine following a 25-minute rendezvous with Chelsea team-mate Gilmour after last Friday’s draw against Scotland.
Gilmour has since tested positive for Covid and has been forced to quarantine for 10 days.
Elsewhere, Kyle Walker returns at right back after being rested for the draw against Scotland on Friday.
Kyle Walker (left), who was rested against Scotland on Friday, returns at right back
England need to win their match on Tuesday at Wembley to finish as the winners of Group D
Maguire joins the City star in defence after a seven-week lay-off through injury.
The fact England have now qualified for the knockout stages will also have had an influence on Southgate’s changed team selection.
Southgate’s men reached the last-16 without kicking a ball on Monday night after Belgium and Denmark won their final group games against Finland and Russia, respectively.
