MICAH RICHARDS launched a passionate defence of Phil Foden.
The Manchester City starlet was not at his best in the 1-0 win over Serbia but kept his place against Denmark.
Richards thinks Foden, 24, can be England’s best player.
The BBC pundit, 35, said: “He’s frustrated. Phil Foden is the best player in this team in the tight spaces.
“Get the ball to him as soon as possible.
“You do not want him in this position, he cannot hurt the opposition in this position [when he is too wide or withdrawn].
“He can do it on the right or on the left. He can make these runs in behind because he’s so intelligent.
“Then it’s about putting the ball across, which he can do.
“The key is to play to your best players as quick as possible who can cause the opposition damage, and we’re not doing that.
“The difference is when you watch [Jude] Bellingham, shoulders out. He’s demanding it, controlling it.
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“We need Phil Foden to show that personality now and show people how good of a player he is.”
Richards used clips of Foden not receiving the ball when begging for it to make his case.
But Rio Ferdinand, 45, thinks the blame lies at the City playmaker’s feet.
He said: “I think he’s demanding it and shouting after. When someone is on the ball, you’ve got to be telling them then.
“When the ball is released and passed he’s frustrated and it shows.
“You’ve got to be shouting before the ball comes and if it doesn’t, go and tell people directly, ‘Give me the ball.’
England Wags range from childhood sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.
Katie Goodland (Harry Kane’s wife)
The fitness instructor has been married to the England captain since 2019 and joined him in Germany with their four children after he joined Bayern Munich.
Laura Celia Valk (Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend)
The stunning Dutch model, 25, has more than half a million Instagram followers and is said to be absolutely smitten with the Real Madrid star.
Rebecca Cooke (Phil Foden’s girlfriend)
Foden’s childhood sweetheart and the mother of his two kids tends to keep out of the spotlight, but is a regular at England games.
Dani Dyer (Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend)
England’s most famous Wag, former Love Island winner and daughter of Eastenders’ Danny Dyer.
Iris Law (Trent Alexander-Arnold’s girlfriend)
Dani Dyer isn’t the only actor’s daughter dating an England star. Iris’ dad is Hollywood legend Jude Law.
Megan Davison (Jordan Pickford’s wife)
Megan has been with Pickford since he was 14 years old. The couple married in 2022 and have one son.
Olivia Naylor (John Stones’ girlfriend)
The 33-year-old former beautician has stepped back from her role after giving birth to a baby son.
Read more about the Wags who will be supporting England at Euro 2024 here
“Play to your best players in those positions. The team sometimes need to talk about that.
“Teams identify who is your best player and talk about it in the changing rooms and in the games, ‘Get the ball to him’.
“He is that at Man City but he isn’t that at England right now. They’re playing to Jude first, Harry [Kane] first, [Bukayo] Saka before him.”
