Euro 2024: Jude Bellingham or Phil Foden? England boss Gareth Southgate faces headache
- Premier League player of the year was moved to the left wing to accommodate Real Madrid ace in game against Serbia
Gareth Southgate must solve his Phil Foden conundrum as the England playmaker struggles to reproduce his brilliant Manchester City form at international level.
While England can book their place in the last 16 of Euro 2024 by beating Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday, Foden’s latest underwhelming display for his country has sparked a debate about Southgate’s use of such a sublime talent.
Foden laboured to make any impact on England’s nervy 1-0 win against Serbia in their Group C opener in Gelsenkirchen.
The 24-year-old was voted the Premier League’s player of the year after his key role in City’s fourth successive title triumph with 19 goals and eight assists.
But in stark contrast to his excellence in a City shirt, Foden has never looked comfortable with England’s Three Lions on his chest.
He struggled during England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, making subdued starts in the first two games and playing for only a further 25 minutes before missing the final defeat against Italy because of injury.