Euro 2024: England legend explains why he wanted Phil Foden substituted in just 29 minutes against Serbia
Former England defender Stuart Pearce was unhappy with Phil Foden's performance against Serbia and called for the Manchester City star to be taken off after 29 minutes. Pearce wanted England to bring on Eberechi Eze as he believed the Crystal Palace would be better in attack.
The Three Lions beat Serbia 1-0 following Jude Bellingham's 13th-minute strike at the Veltins-Arena on Sunday, June 16.
Speaking on talkSPORT after the game, Pearce stated that England's attack was all happening down the right side as Foden and Kieran Trippier were not doing well on the left. He added that the Manchester City player was cutting in too much and said:
"I'm going to say and I'm going to make this statement as early as possible. We talked about early substitutions leading into the game, I tell you what I'd do, I'd bring Eze on now to attack instead of Foden. You ask for my opinion and I'll give you my solution after 29 minutes! What I'm seeing at the moment is an England team who are attacking solely down the right-hand side."
"There's no attack down the left-hand side whatsoever – Trippier is obviously being a right-footed left-back and isn't offering anything in the advanced areas. Foden is cutting in and being like a utility player almost. I'd like to see us having a joint attack on either side and the way that Serbia have set up is like they're lying down and saying 'please don't hurt us too much. We've only got Saka who has the ability to go and attack someone as an out-and-out winger – I'd like to see another one on this side," Pearce added.
England are now atop Group C and will next face Denmark on Thursday, June 20.
Danny Murphy blasts England star Phil Foden
Danny Murphy was also on talkSPORT and criticized Phil Foden. The former England and Liverpool midfielder stated that the 24-year-old does well for Manchester City, but is ineffective for England.
"Phil Foden should be off the pitch. I'm sorry I love him. He has been unbelievable this season. But he's ineffective in an England shirt," Murphy explained.
Phil Foden scored 27 goals and assisted 12 times in 53 matches across competitions for Manchester City in the 2023-24 season. However, he has only managed to score four times in 35 matches for England.