Phil Foden has always had the potential to be one of the greats of his generation.
This season he has already begun to fulfil these expectations.
The 21-year-old had an impressive season with Manchester City – winning the Premier League, Carabao Cup and reaching the Champions League final – and could fire England deep into the European Championships or, perhaps (say it quietly), help lift the trophy.
Despite England’s abundance of talent, including Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho and City team-mate Raheem Sterling, the Stockport-born youngster may well start in Gareth Southgate’s XI against Croatia this Sunday.
Foden, who won PFA young player of the year, has been at his dazzling best when starting at left wing in Pep Guardiola’s side, even ousting Sterling out of the starting XI, giving Southgate a tough decision to make.
The attacking midfielder has the capability to unlock any defence and from this more advanced winger role, he has the freedom to find pockets of space and thread passes through to Harry Kane or dance through Croatia’s defence himself. Southgate would have watched endless tapes of Foden including his superb solo goal in City’s 4-1 victory versus Liverpool in February.
With 16 goals and 10 assists this season in all competitions and the most goal involvements in the Premier League for anyone 21 or under – nine goals and five assists – he has helped Manchester City to win yet more silverware under Guardiola.
Speaking in 2019, Guardiola said: ‘He has everything. Phil (Foden) is the most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager.’
Perhaps this was a little over the top, albeit it might be worth reminding you that the Manchester City manager has managed arguably the greatest player ever, in Lionel Messi, so it’s certainly high praise.
Since England U17s won the World Cup in 2017, the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ has worked hard to force his way into City’s line-up and has bounced back after he was dropped – along with Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood – for breaking Covid-19 rules on England’s trip to Iceland.
Ironically the 21-year-old’s best performance for the Three Lions came in the reverse fixture to Iceland in the Nations League where he dominated the game, scoring two goals and setting up another in a 4-0 win at Wembley.
Although he can play in a central-attacking midfield role, with Mason Mount having cemented a place in midfield, Southgate is expected to err on the side of caution against Croatia so it’s unlikely he’ll play Foden and Mount in the middle of the park.
In fact, Foden’s hopes to start on Sunday may rely on the fitness of Manchester United rival Harry Maguire and whether Southgate plays three centre backs if the United captain isn’t fit.
The anticipation of the England manager’s starting XI almost outweighs the anticipation of the tournament itself. However, even if Foden does miss out on Sunday, he is sure to make a huge impact on the Euros and can play a major role in the success of this exciting England squad.
