Manchester City No.47 Phil Foden is now set to make his first competitive start for England this year.
That is according to Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports.
So, what was said about Phil Foden? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the 23-year-old has not started a competitive game for England since the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final defeat to France back in December 2022.
That was ten months ago, so 2023 has been a difficult year for Foden on the international scene – to say the least.
Now – however – Gareth Southgate is set to start the Manchester City academy graduate in Tuesday’s UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier against Italy.
The aforementioned Dorsett said: “It’s a big moment – a big match – for Phil Foden. He’ll win his 29th cap – we expect – in what will be only his 18th start.
“He’s had to be pretty patient waiting for his chance in an England shirt – in truth – but Bukayo Saka’s injury means that Southgate has had to change what would probably be his normal starting XI in terms of wide attacking areas.
“If – as I expect – Marcus Rashford is on the other flank, it looks like Phil Foden could start on the right.”
Manchester City No.47 Phil Foden has to impress
Tuesday’s clash against Italy is arguably one of the most important games of Foden’s career – on the international scene at least.
The Stockport-born maestro does not get many chances to start for England in significant matches, and Southgate clearly wasn’t impressed by the attacker’s last competitive start against France to leave him out this long.
Therefore, the encounter against Italy is simply huge for Foden.
In truth, it could be his chance to finally become a regular under Southgate.
Hopefully, Foden takes the game by the scruff of the neck like we know he can.
