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‘He’s got to come in’ – Gareth Southgate told to start Man City player v USA

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England face USA in their second World Cup group game on Friday and predictions are being made of what starting eleven Gareth Southgate will name at Al Bayt Stadium.

Southgate came in for criticism for leaving Phil Foden on the bench against Iran, but England enjoyed a 6-2 win on the day and the Manchester City player was introduced in the second half, so he wasn’t ignored.

Oli McCoole of the City Report podcast wants to see the 22-year-old start against USA, however, and believes Mason Mount should make way in midfield.

When asked if Foden should replace Mount on Friday, McCoole said: “Well, for me, I’m gonna let my bias take over and say Foden’s gotta come in. I think it’s a team specific change (which) Southgate isn’t averse (to).

“You look at that American midfield – Tyler Adams, Brendan Aaronson, Weston McKennie – I think you’ve got to have someone like Phil Foden who has that ability to just get past players.”

Foden has made 20 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City this season, scoring eight goals with three assists. The 22-year-old has played in all but one of their matches across the board, so he may have hoped to start against Iran.

But after Mount put in a fantastic performance, Vital Man City said it would be hard for Foden to push him out of the team. McCoole would like to see Southgate make the change, but it’s unlikely he would remove the industrious midfielder for a more creative one.

England didn’t exactly struggle for goals in their opener…

In other news, who is Giorgio Scalvini?

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He joined from Newcastle in 2000 and left to join FC Sochaux in 2003

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.