Former England striker Emile Heskey believes that neither Phil Foden nor James Maddison should start for England against the United States.
England won their first game in their World Cup group with an impressive 6-2 victory over Iran.
Their next game is against the US on Friday, and it offers the chance for manager Gareth Southgate to give starts to other players, if he thinks it is necessary.
Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice were given the nod in the first match, but Heskey, who also played for Liverpool, Leicester City and others in an impressive career, said that the two main alternatives, Maddison and Foden, should not start.
Foden was one of Manchester City’s standout performers last season and Maddison ended the season as one of the best midfielders in the league, but it was the Borussia Dortmund teenager and West Ham’s in-demand player who were favoured.
Speaking to Safe Betting Sites, Heskey believes other players are keeping Foden on the bench, and that is where he will be most effective.
Heskey said: “Where would you put him? That would be my issue with Phil Foden at this moment. He wouldn’t take Saka’s place. Would he take Mount’s? I’d say that’s more plausible but I don’t see why you’d change a winning formula right now. It’s a nice problem for Southgate to have.
“The further England go in the tournament, the more important it will be to have fresh legs available. Foden is as good as any of them on the pitch and it’s great to have him waiting in the wings because he’ll be champing at the bit to get out there.”
Heskey also praised Saka and Bellingham, as well as Marcus Rashford, for performing well, saying: “It was great to see but we don’t want to get carried away because clearly Iran are nowhere near the toughest team England will face in this tournament. It’s great to see Saka, Rashford and Bellingham scoring goals and getting plaudits now rather than the racist abuse they suffered just over a year ago after the Euros.”
Turning to Maddison, he again suggested it would be best to call on him from the bench.
“I don’t think it will take an injury for Maddison to get his chance,” he continued.
“I don’t see Maddison as a starter but as an impact player off the bench against the USA? Yes 100%.
“I’m not sure which specific position but he could play either in a wide role or more centrally in a number 10 role where Mason Mount is. The good thing is that there’s a great level of positional flexibility among this England team and squad as a whole.”
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