Foden has just been awarded the Premier League Player of the Season 2023/24 while playing for Man City, but with the England national team, Southgate is still grappling with finding the best position for him to excel at this summer's Euros.
Phil Foden has just had the most memorable season of his career, scoring two goals in a 3-1 victory over West Ham last weekend, thereby helping Manchester City clinch their fourth consecutive Premier League title.
These two goals have brought Foden's total tally for the season to 27 across various competitions, solidifying his position as one of the most valuable stars in the world today. His excellence is further underscored by Foden's prestigious achievement of being named the Premier League Player of the Season.
Despite collecting numerous accolades at Man City, the big challenge awaiting Foden is how to shine for the England national team as he does at the Etihad. How to integrate this young midfielder, utilize him correctly in the right position, and replicate his impressive form from his performances for Manchester City are the questions being raised.
[caption id="attachment_5606" align="alignnone" width="600"] Phil Foden has just won the Premier League title for the 2023/24 season with Manchester City. (Image: Getty Images)[/caption]
Contrary to his brilliant success with his club, Foden has yet to shine to the same extent in the colors of the England national team, although this is not entirely his fault.
During the national team training camp in September last year, Southgate was asked about Foden's ability to play in the central position. "He doesn't play in that position at the club, so there's probably a reason for that. You should ask Pep Guardiola - the world's best manager, who has used Foden on the wing," Southgate said.
Foden, the Player of the Season, is attracting a lot of attention. He scored two goals to help Manchester City beat West Ham to defend their Premier League title for the fourth consecutive time last Sunday, notably scoring from the central midfield position - a position he has been playing in recent matches.
It can be affirmed that Southgate holds Foden in high regard. He mentioned the midfielder at a recent Football Writers' Association dinner, immediately after Foden received an award. Southgate recounted that the first time he saw Foden play at a young age at St George's Park, he couldn't believe how talented the young boy was. And Southgate gave Foden his England debut at the age of 20, since then he has earned 32 caps for the national team.
[caption id="attachment_5603" align="alignnone" width="600"] Southgate and Foden have a good relationship; the only issue is how to use Foden effectively. (Image: Daily Mail)[/caption]
Therefore, it's certain that Foden will be on the roster for the EURO 2024 finals in Germany next month. But the big question is whether he'll be played in the central position or not. This is a headache for Southgate from now until the tournament kicks off on June 14th.
This question makes Southgate uncomfortable because it addresses the one issue he often faces the most: criticism of his courage and caution. To move Foden into the central position, Southgate would have to consider dropping a defensive player alongside Declan Rice.
At EURO 2021 and the World Cup in Qatar, the defensive midfield partnership typically consisted of Rice alongside either Kalvin Phillips or Jordan Henderson.
However, this is a cautious approach best suited for tough opponents. The group stage matches at the Euros will provide an opportunity to showcase a more adventurous style of play: Serbia, Denmark, Slovenia. Does the England team really need two defensive midfielders against these supposedly weaker opponents?
[caption id="attachment_5605" align="alignnone" width="600"] At Man City, Pep has allowed Foden to play in the central midfield position in recent matches. (Image: Pinterest)[/caption]
In the match against West Ham last weekend, Pep Guardiola deployed a 4-1-4-1 formation. Rodri played in front of the back four with Foden alongside Kevin De Bruyne in central midfield. Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku were the wingers.
In the context of the England team, if this formation is used, Declan Rice would be the defensive midfielder behind the attacking quartet consisting of Bukayo Saka, Foden, Jude Bellingham, and one of Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish, or even Marcus Rashford. Other midfield talents like James Maddison and Cole Palmer could also be valuable options on the bench.
This is how Southgate arranges to incorporate the Golden Trio of Rice, Bellingham, and Foden not only in the same lineup but also in the same area of the pitch. This setup would provide Foden with the opportunity to dictate the tempo and dominate the game, something he often struggles with when playing on the left-wing.
Foden has previously stated that his preferred position is in the center. Pep Guardiola has given him the chance to play there. Therefore, the question for Southgate is quite straightforward: "If not now, then when?"
Foden doesn't necessarily have to play the full 90 minutes in the central area. He can drift inside and exploit his abilities; with his nimble feet, he can navigate tight spaces, exploit gaps, and dribble at high speed.
[caption id="attachment_5604" align="alignnone" width="600"] If Foden can showcase his full potential as he does in the Manchester City shirt, the England team will be twice as strong at this summer's Euro. (Image: Getty Images)[/caption]
Foden can certainly replicate his form at Manchester City when wearing the England shirt this summer - and that's truly an enticing prospect.
Typically, Guardiola would position Foden on the "left wing" in the team's formation, but when Man City's left-back Josko Gvardiol attacks in this area, Foden will drift inside to create chaos.
For the England team, a similar role could be executed by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, or Luke Shaw. Jude Bellingham will take on the number 10 role, where he has been very effective at Real Madrid, and Foden can move inside. With Bukayo Saka on the right flank to draw two or three opposition players, England can create flexibility and pose a significant threat alongside Harry Kane as the center forward.
So, the opportunity lies with Gareth Southgate. Whether England can go far in this tournament or not, it all depends on whether this strategist can find the right way to harness all these talents in his lineup at the upcoming Euro 2024, especially the most notable name today - Phil Foden.
Comments