Fan disproves Gareth Southgate's theory on Phil Foden with Kieran Trippier stat

A fan has debunked Gareth Southgate's comments about Phil Foden "not playing centrally for his club", using Kieran Trippier as an example.

Southgate caused a stir in his press conference ahead of the Scotland game when he explained why Foden is not an option for a central midfield role despite his qualities on the ball.

The England manager said: "He doesn't play centrally for his club, so presumably there's a reason for that.

"You'd have to speak with Pep, the best coach in the world, who plays him from wide.

"Obviously in the middle of the park everyone talks about them with the ball, but there's a lot of detail without the ball."

Foden has revealed his desire to play centrally, while Pep Guardiola has also gone on record to say that the 23-year-old "has something special in that position"

The Manchester City man was handed a start against the Tartan Army at Hampden Park, but Newcastle captain Trippier got the nod at left-back.

He has filled in there for England before but one fan took to X, formerly known as Twitter to compare Trippier's club appearances at left-backs to Foden's in central midfield.

Image: X

Data from TransferMarkt shows that Trippier has played there once, compared to Foden's 76 outings in midfield, where he has scored 22 times and assisted 17.

The fan took the point that Trippier is able to play on the left of a back four, but branded Southgate's views on Foden as "ridiculous and hypocritical".

Southgate made a number of changes from the 1-1 draw with Ukraine, bringing in Aaron Ramsdale in goal, as well as Lewis Dunk, Foden and Marcus Rashford.

Image: Getty

Foden is representing England for the 27th time but the man himself has been honest about his performances for his country.

“I still feel my level could be much better in an England shirt," he told SPORTbible last year.

"Sometimes it’s not easy going with players you’ve not really played with before and in a different way.

“It’s something you’ve got to adapt to and live up to. I'm hoping that the next time I get the opportunity to play I can bring my club form in.

Topics: England, Fan Reactions, Premier League, Manchester City, Kieran Trippier, Phil Foden

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@joshlawless_