Rio Ferdinand has strongly criticised Gabby Agbonlahor following a scathing assessment of Phil Foden, describing the remarks as excessive in light of the player’s achievements.
The debate comes in the aftermath of a disappointing international break for England under Thomas Tuchel.
With preparations ongoing ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Three Lions endured a frustrating spell that has raised fresh questions about selection and form.
An experimental England side were held to a 1-1 draw by Uruguay, a performance marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities as several players attempted to stake their claim for a place in the final 26-man squad.
That result was followed by a historic setback, as England suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Japan, their first-ever loss on home soil against an Asian opponent.
Foden, who has been one of England’s most high-profile talents in recent years, struggled to make an impact across both matches.
His subdued displays quickly became a focal point for criticism, with Agbonlahor delivering a particularly blunt verdict during a TalkSPORT discussion as reported by GiveMeSport.
“His fall for Manchester City has been incredibly bad. He came on in the 90th minute of the cup final against Arsenal, got zero minutes in both games against Real Madrid, and in his last 11 games, he’s only played 183 minutes of 990 available.
“Zero goals this year (we’re already in April), and for his country, he’s not performed. He’s only got four goals in 49 England caps. He should be in his peak now at 25. He’s never done it in an England shirt.”
Agbonlahor went further, suggesting that Foden’s inclusion in the latest squad was based more on reputation than merit.
He claimed the midfielder was selected because Tuchel “likes Foden’s career”, adding that the player did not warrant a place and currently resembles a “training ground” performer rather than someone capable of influencing matches at the highest level.
Those comments prompted a swift reaction from Ferdinand, who defended Foden’s record and urged a more balanced perspective.
Responding publicly, the former Manchester United defender highlighted the midfielder’s success at club level and his continued contribution in domestic competition.
“Gabby, he’s won six Premier League titles at 25 years old, [and] got 10 goals and assists in the Premier League this season (same as Saka, Watkins).”
Ferdinand’s response underlined the contrast between Foden’s achievements with Manchester City and his struggles to replicate that form on the international stage.
While the midfielder has been a key figure in one of the most dominant club sides in English football history, his performances for England have often divided opinion.
Questions remain over Foden’s England role
Despite Ferdinand’s defence, uncertainty continues to surround Foden’s place in the England setup.
Among a squad packed with attacking talent, he now appears one of the more vulnerable players when it comes to final selection decisions ahead of the World Cup.
Back-to-back underwhelming displays during the recent fixtures have intensified scrutiny, with some observers suggesting he could be at risk of missing out entirely.
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However, there is also a growing view that the issue may not rest solely with the player himself.
Tuchel’s approach has come under examination, particularly after suggestions that he may have deviated from his earlier stance of prioritising form and impact over reputation.
Instead, Foden was deployed in a role that differs significantly from the one he occupies at Manchester City, where he has flourished in a more defined attacking system.
That positional adjustment may have contributed to his lack of influence, raising questions about whether England are maximising his strengths.
In a team still searching for balance and cohesion, fitting multiple high-profile players into a single system remains a complex challenge.
