Football News: Foden’s Struggle to Shine for England Sparks Debates
As the 2024 European Championships and the 2026 FIFA World Cup loom on the horizon, the debates surrounding England’s creative talents have resurfaced. Twenty years since Sven-Göran Eriksson’s tactical decisions, a similar scenario is unfolding, with questions being raised about Gareth Southgate’s handling of Phil Foden.
The muted display by Foden during England’s recent win against Serbia has sparked two main theories: one, that he is being constrained by Southgate’s functional approach, and the other, that Foden’s struggles to impose himself in an England shirt are due to his own need to be more assertive.
“A player of this class doesn’t need to be told by the coach what he needs to do,” said former Spain midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, during the BBC’s post-match coverage, and that Jude Bellingham, England’s match-winner against Serbia, is slightly ahead of Foden in terms of personality and game awareness.
The critics will inevitably come for Southgate, questioning his decision to play Foden on the left flank. However, as the England manager pointed out, it’s not where a player starts that matters, but where they end up with the ball. Contrary to popular belief, Paul Scholes, the former England midfielder, did not mind playing on the left for Manchester United before Euro 2004.
The comparison to Scholes may not be entirely fitting, and attention could shift to the case of John Barnes, who struggled to replicate his outstanding Liverpool form for England under Bobby Robson’s tenure. This conundrum is the concern for Southgate, that Foden could be remembered like Barnes: incredible for his club, but a puzzle for his country.
Foden’s talent is undeniable, and his performances for Manchester City in the 2023-24 season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions, have been nothing short of outrageous. However, his international career has yet to truly take off, with only four goals in 35 appearances and few standout performances.
As the 2024 Champions League and the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico approach, Southgate and the England management team will need to find a way to unlock Foden’s potential on the international stage. The upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations matches will be crucial testing grounds for the squad, with the Premier League, EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, EFL Two, and FA Cup also providing opportunities for players to stake their claim.
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