Agbonlahor on Phil Foden being axed after ‘frightening’ Man City reveal
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Man City attacker Phil Foden deserves to start for England in their round of 16 World Cup game with Senegal on Sunday (4 December).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker admitted Gareth Southgate has a selection “headache” with all five of his wingers vying for a starting place.
Foden marked his first World Cup start with a goal as England beat Wales 3-0 on Tuesday night (29 November) while Marcus Rashford scored the other two.
As quoted by Sky Sports on Friday (2 December), John Stones claimed his Man City teammate has “frightening” talent.
Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling started the first two group games while Jack Grealish featured from the bench in all three games.
All five have scored with Rashford the tournament’s joint leading-scorer with three goals.
“Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden were outstanding against Wales,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Yes, they do deserve to start against Senegal but so do Saka and Sterling, they were outstanding in the first game.
“It’s a headache for Gareth Southgate and whichever two he picks out of the four of them plus Grealish, nobody will moan at.
“It’s a tough task for Gareth Soughate but any of the five options will perform for us.”
Foden signed a new five-year deal with Man City on 14 October keeping him at the club until the summer of 2027.
The 22-year-old has scored 53 goals and provided 36 assists in 189 games across all competitions for his boyhood club.
In other news, “Man City are powerless” as an Erling Haaland “suspension” is mooted after a major reveal.