Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has leapt to the defence of under-fire Chelsea star Mason Mount ahead of England’s decisive Group B World Cup clash against Wales this evening.
Gareth Southgate’s side remain in a commanding position, despite their listless performance against USA last Friday when they were held to a goalless draw.
Victory this evening will guarantee the Three Lions top spot which would likely see them avoid Louis van Gaal’s Holland in the round of the last 16.
Southgate is set to rotate his team with Jordan Henderson in line to replace Jude Bellingham, while Kyle Walker is set to make his first appearance in the tournament having recovered from the injury which has kept him out of action for the last six week.
Mount, meanwhile, is set to retain his place despite a sub-par display against USA and Hoddle believes criticism of the 23-year-old has been over the top and unjustified.
He told Betfair: ‘I think it’s unfair that Mason Mount has been singled out for criticism, he didn’t do anything worse than any other player in the game against the USA. He nearly scored, he got himself into good positions.
‘Mason Mount is one of the best players we have in the country, and you would have him for 38 games a season, he’s nailed on to be in your team. The criticism has been unfair.’
Mount’s presence in the starting XI has come at the expense of Phil Foden and Hoddle would like to see the Manchester City forward given more of an opportunity after he was an unused substitute in England’s last game.
He said: ‘Before the tournament, the team I picked for England had Phil Foden in ahead of Mason Mount. I think Mount is a very good young player, he’s excellent but I think Foden has something special. We haven’t been able to see that yet, but I hope Gareth Southgate gives him time on the pitch. If it’s from the bench or if he starts him.
‘I really like Mason Mount and this is no determent to him, but if Foden had the same amount of games as him, his productivity and goals would be up there and we’d see what he’s all about.
‘I just feel that Foden has something special. He can drive on into the box with or without the ball, he goes by players at pace, he’s intelligent, he scores goals and creates things. I think that he deserves a chance at some stage, not necessarily instead of Mount.
‘Foden can play in the three in midfield, or as a wide player that can come in. There are all sorts of positions and options that England have for him.’
Wales, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their gut-wrenching defeat against Iran but Hoddle believes England will have too much for Gareth Bale and co.
He added: ‘We may see a little bit of fatigue coming into the team now, and you’d have to look at players and see if it’s worth putting others in. I think we may see a few changes, but I don’t see Bellingham and Rice moving out.
‘I don’t see Walker coming in for this one. I don’t see too many changes, and I think we could see Foden and another coming in upfront, possibly Grealish or Rashford. I think England will win 2-0.’
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