Football News: Euro 2024, Champions League, and World Cup Updates
England legend John Barnes knows the challenges of transferring club form to the international stage. The puzzling inability of Barnes to replicate his dazzling Anfield performances for the Three Lions in the 80s and 90s, even baffling the great Sir Bobby Robson, is now mirrored by the struggles of Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Foden, named the Premier League Player of the Season after netting 27 goals across all competitions last campaign, failed to make a significant impact during England’s recent 1-0 win over Serbia in their Euro 2024 preparations. The 24-year-old started brightly in Gelsenkirchen but gradually faded, a stark contrast to his dazzling displays for Pep Guardiola’s side.
“If England played the way Liverpool do, then I would,” Barnes told talkSPORT, highlighting the importance of the team’s tactical setup.
The same dilemma now faces Foden, who despite his remarkable performances for Manchester City, is yet to truly shine in an England shirt, with just four goals in 34 caps. Barnes believes that unless England adopt a playing style similar to Manchester City’s, they will struggle to get the best out of Foden, just as he experienced with his own national team career.
With England’s bid for Euro 2024 glory looming, both current manager Gareth Southgate and his future successor must prioritize unlocking Foden’s boundless talent at the international level if the Three Lions are to finally overcome the hurdle of major tournament success.
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