Ah idk bout that
Female friends indirectly put you on game and actually make you see women from a regular point of view.
I think it helps guys not come off as creepy over time. Most guys with female friends usually were more likely to view women as normal human beings instead of something to smash or earn or ignore or impress etc.
Yep, genuine female friends are key. Maybe you are secretly lusting them but you can curtail the emotion to have them trust you and not think you're a creep. If you're not a simp/creep and are fun to be around, they WILL try to set you up with one of their single friends or even plant a seed to a friend that's getting out of a relationship (you know how some girls are NEVER single? This is why). Women love playing matchmaker.
Being in the "friend zone" is not a bad thing if you are not coming off as a simp and are a fun time. Sure you may not smash that one girl, but if you keep a good rapport you'll get invited to a house party or club night and they might literally set the whole thing up for you with one of their friends... It's worth it IMO
Also I grew up with a sister 5 years older than me. We stayed close so I knew how to talk to adult women when I was a teenager. Even messed around with one of her besties, which did not end well lol but it was a learning for me!