Softfootball reports that football icon Wayne Rooney has once again stirred up debate across English football, this time questioning whether Phil Foden actually fits into Thomas Tuchel’s England starting XI.
The former Three Lions captain made the comments during a lively video episode of The Overlap Fan Debate posted via their official X account, hosted by Jamie Carragher, and the clip has since been bouncing around social media.
Watch the video below:
Rooney didn’t hesitate when naming Jude Bellingham as the first midfielder on his team sheet, stressing that the Real Madrid star brings the kind of box-to-box energy England will need in big games. He even suggested Tuchel should use Bellingham to “set a marker down,” especially with the 2026 World Cup getting close.
But the surprise came when the conversation shifted to Phil Foden. Despite calling Foden his “favourite England player,” Rooney admitted bluntly, that he actually don’t think Foden plays. He acknowledged the Manchester City star’s patchy England form and hinted that his role isn’t as straightforward as many fans assume.
He explained:
Jude will be in the squad 100%… He has to be in the team. I think he has to Thomas Tuchel has set a marker down and put him in the team.
I love Phil Foden. I love him. and I think he is brilliant, he struggled a bit last season, didn’t he? If Phil’s playing fit in my opinion he needs to play as well so that the problem for Thomas Tuchel.
Carragher then reminded him of Tuchel’s stance that Foden is not a winger. Rooney doubled down, saying he’d still start Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon out wide because of their intensity, suggesting a midfield where Bellingham edges Foden in high-pressure matches.
He explained:
I actually don’t think Foden plays. He is my favourite player, but I think in big games against the better teams, I think Jude can play in the three midfield because he is more of a box-to-box player, and I think Saka and Anthony Gordon have to play.
Rooney’s comments land at a tricky moment for Tuchel, who officially took over in January 2025 and has already shown he isn’t afraid to shuffle big names. In England’s recent 2-nil win over Serbia, he avoided starting Kane, Bellingham and Foden together, but in the 2-nil victory over Albania, he handed minutes to all three players, a clear hint at how seriously he takes balance.
Foden, now 25 and crucial to Manchester City’s success, has struggled to translate his club form to the national team, scoring just four goals in 40 caps. Bellingham, meanwhile, continues to shine for Madrid and England at only 22. Rooney even suggested Jack Grealish may miss the World Cup entirely, joking that he might as well book his summer holiday.
With qualifiers coming fast and pressure building, Tuchel’s midfield dilemma is nowhere close to solved. But one thing is certain: Rooney’s comments have added fuel to a debate that’s not slowing down anytime soon. How will England be able to maximise the creative ability of Phil Foden?
