Gareth Southgate is completely missing the point over Phil Foden's position at Man City

Phil Foden has never hidden his desire to play centrally at Manchester City, dropping into spaces and making things happen. So why is that desire now under questioning from England boss Gareth Southgate?

Pep Guardiola has held him back from a role that requires more defensive responsibility, preferring to allow him more free rein out on the wings where he can hurt defences without looking over his shoulder. Now, Foden has knuckled down and is being trusted more at number 10 for City.

It's been a long time coming for fans who have wanted to see Foden in the 'David Silva' role for years. It feels like his long-term progression, but the timing has to be right. Naturally after some impressive performances behind Erling Haaland at the end of last season and the start of this one, the calls have been growing for Foden to be deployed at number 10 for England.

But while a midfield trio of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Foden feels like it should work perfectly, Southgate is not convinced. His latest explanation seemed to place the onus back on Foden, apparently questioning his desire to play at number 10. That is something that Southgate has got completely wrong.

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Ahead of England's friendly with Scotland on Tuesday, Southgate said: "He doesn’t play there for his club, so presumably there is a reason for that. It depends on the level of the game, really.

"In the middle of the park, everyone wants to talk about when you are with the ball but there is a lot of detail without the ball and games where you have to be spot on with pressing angles. If you don’t, you don’t get the flow of the game.

"You’d have to speak to Pep, who is the best coach in the