Paul Merson warns two England stars they could by axed by Thomas Tuchel | Football

Former England midfielder Paul Merson says Phil Foden and Marcus ‘don’t have too many more chances’ under Thomas Tuchel and could be axed unless their performances drastically improve.

Manchester City star Foden and Rashford, who has enjoyed something of a resurgence on loan at Aston Villa, were given the nod as Tuchel named his first England XI for the side’s opening World Cup qualifier against Albania.

But neither Foden or Rashford managed a single shot on target against an Albanian team ranked 65 in the world and both were replaced in the 74th minute, with Tuchel sending on Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen.

The Three Lions went on to seal a 2-0 victory over their Group K opposition, as goals from debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly and captain Harry Kane proved decisive in front of a sell-out Wembley crowd.

But Tuchel picked out Foden and Rashford for criticism in his post-match interview with ITV Sport and the German has some tough selection decisions to make ahead of England’s next clash with Latvia on Monday night.

‘I think both of our wingers who started were not as impactful as they normally can be as they are in club football,’ the England head coach said.

‘At the moment, I’m not sure why we struggled to bring the ball quicker to them, to bring the ball in a more open position to them, I’m not sure why it took us so long.

‘I think we lacked a little bit of runs off the ball, a bit too much passing and not enough dribbling, not enough carrying and driving with the ball, and not aggressive enough towards goal.

‘They trained very well, they were decisive in training, that’s why I also think they deserved [to start], they were very good in the last weeks with their clubs.

‘We will keep on encouraging them and make a structure for them to show their potential.’

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, analysing Friday’s qualifier from the ITV Sport studio, was scathing with his criticism of Foden and warned the out-of-sorts attacker that he was at risk of being omitted by Tuchel.

Merson agrees with Keane and can see both Foden and Rashford dropped unless they buck up their ideas versus Latvia in two days’ time.

‘What Tuchel said about Foden and Rashford, I don’t think they’ve got too many more chances,’ the ex-Arsenal and England man said on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.

‘I think they probably play this next game and then he’ll go, “You know what? I’ve had a little go at them, let’s see how they respond”.

‘If they don’t perform in this game [against Latvia], I think he’ll go: “See you later!”

‘Everywhere Tuchel has been, he’s not been there very long because he goes in, he doesn’t care about upsetting people and by the time everybody’s had enough of him, he’s gone. I think that’s what England need.

‘But I still think we’ll be sitting here in many years’ time and thinking what an unbelievable job Gareth Southgate did.’

Merson has no doubts that Foden – last season’s PFA Player of the Year – is ‘top drawer’, but feels the six-time Premier League winner often struggles when facing ultra-defensive teams in international football.

‘The problem [for Foden] is that Manchester City play so differently from everybody else,’ Merson continued.

‘The kid is an intelligent footballer, he’s top drawer. He’s not going to get the ball out on the right and get doubled up. His brain doesn’t tell him, “I’m going to beat this two players”, his brain tells him: “I move the ball”.

‘Other players who haven’t got a brain will go, “I’ll go and take them two on,” and they might beat one and lose it, or they might beat them once and lose it the other 20 times.

‘His brain’s not like that, he’s a very intelligent footballer, and that’s why he gets the ball and goes, “No, it ain’t on for me to do that, I’ll pass the ball”, that’s why he didn’t go past people yesterday.

‘He never got a one-vs-one from the halfway line where he could go and attack someone. Albania were sitting ten behind the ball.’

Merson – who was capped 21 times by the Three Lions – suggested Foden and Rashford were ‘better players’ when facing world-class teams like France over the likes of Albania and Latvia.

‘It’s hard when they play in the wide positions because there’s only one frontman and [Harry] Kane isn’t going to come and show every time,’ he went on.

‘They haven’t got that ball flicking around the corner, it’s hard.

‘When you used to have two centre-forwards, you flick that ball around the corner, go again, move.

‘You haven’t got that now so it is hard. It’s not that easy to play for England. When opposition teams are playing ten at the back, it’s difficult.

‘You would rather play against a France and then you’d be a better player than when you’re playing with teams with ten at the back.

‘Foden, for me, is top drawer and everybody has bad games.’

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