Wayne Rooney calls Phil Foden ‘best footballer England have’ and insists he must start against Wales

Wayne Rooney has urged Gareth Southgate to unleash Phil Foden in England’s final World Cup group game against Wales.

The Manchester City midfielder was left on the bench in Friday’s goalless draw against the USA, in a decision that drew criticism from pundits and fans.

Ex-England striker Rooney wants to see Foden replace one of Raheem Sterling or Bukayo Saka for the clash with Wales, while also taking Mason Mount and Harry Kane out of the line-up.

“I found it very strange that Foden did not come on as a substitute against the USA,” he wrote in The Times. “Technically, he is the best footballer England have.

“He creates chances, he scores goals, he influences games and he gives you control. In possession, he always keeps hold of the ball and normally makes the right choices, and out of possession he can get at players as well. He is fast, competitive and good at pressing the opposition.

“I think if you have a talent like Foden, you simply have to play him. He is now a different player from the one we saw at Euro 2020, when he struggled to make an impact. He is more mature and came into this tournament on the back of a long period of brilliant performances for Manchester City. He has the form to go with the ability.

“If I were him, I would be very frustrated that I didn’t get on the pitch at any stage of Friday’s game.”

Rooney called on Southgate to bring in Jordan Henderson, who impressed off the bench against the USA, and drop Mount to “let your flair players and your better footballers go and influence games”.

Following his knock in the opener against Iran, Kane should also be rested according to the 37-year-old.