Rio Ferdinand questions Gareth Southgate’s use of Phil Foden and insists England manager MUST play the Manchester City star in a different role at the Euros

Rio Ferdinand has questioned Gareth Southgate’s use of Phil Foden and urged him to build England’s midfield around the Manchester City star.

Foden replaced the absent Bukayo Saka on the right wing in the Three Lions’ 1-0 defeat to Brazil in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday evening, with Jude Bellingham in the number 10 role as Anthony Gordon was brought on on the left wing for his debut .

Conor Gallagher, meanwhile, was selected at the base of midfield alongside Declan Rice, before making way for English newcomer Kobbie Mainoo in the second half.

But Ferdinand suggested Southgate deploy Foden through the middle in a more attacking midfield, alongside Bellingham and Rice.

“If he played centrally for England, that would be the strongest part of that team,” said the former Manchester United defender. Vibe with FIVE YouTube show.

Ferdinand has urged Southgate to play Foden alongside Jude Bellingham in midfield

“If he played with someone like Bellingham, they would find a way to make it work – her and Declan Rice.

‘If you put him on the left, alone and isolated half the time – or on the right – he doesn’t get into the atmosphere of the game. What we have seen at City this year is him playing in central positions, where he has been constantly involved in the heartbeat of the game.

“As a manager I think, when you see that, how does that not translate to your England team? I do not understand.’

Foden is in the middle of a fantastic season for City, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions so far.

The 23-year-old has exactly the same number of goals and assists (seven and four respectively) in 20 starts as a right winger than as an attacking midfielder, despite making just 11 starts in the position this season.

And Ferdinand suggested Foden’s performances for City deserved to be recognized by Southgate ahead of the Euros.

‘Gareth Southgate once said that he doesn’t play centrally for his club so he can’t pick him. “But he has played a pivotal role for his club this season and was arguably one of the best players in the league,” he said.

‘Foden, in the central areas, for the best team in Europe, this season, played centrally and was the man they looked to for inspirational moments to get results and unlock things.’

Foden started the right win in place of the injured Bukayo Saka against Brazil

Southgate has said he would not choose Foden in any role other than the one he plays for Manchester City

But the England international has shone as an attacking midfielder for City this season

With Kalvin Phillips gone, Gallagher, Mainoo and Jordan Henderson are the main contenders to play alongside Rice in central midfield this summer, but Ferdinand insisted Southgate must find space for Foden.

‘I like Conor Gallagher, I think he has a place in that team at the moment, but I think Phil Foden – based on performances alone, forget what you think of him as a talent – why he’s not playing there ?

‘If Gareth has been to those games and seen how Phil Foden has played in the central areas, how does he not think he should just get him into the team and play him there (centre)?

‘Because that boy is doing it for the best team in Europe. Phil Foden is a player who can play left, can play right, can play centre. He will adapt, but only to a certain level that the team will allow him to be in the right position.