Darren Bent says he would pick Bukayo Saka over Phil Foden to play on the right for England – but did suggest a new position the Manchester City man could play.
Foden has been in sensational form this season for City, and after his fine display against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night, he has now scored 15 goals and supplied 10 assists across all competitions.
Foden really stepped up in the absences of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, and has continued to shine after their returns.
The 23-year-old is in the form of his life right now, leading some people to talk about his England prospects, with Euro 2024 taking place this summer.
Yesterday, Darren Bent offered an interesting suggestion regarding where Foden could play for the Three Lions…
Darren Bent suggests Phil Foden could play ‘number 8’ role for England because of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham
A number of pundits have stated that Foden should be starting regularly for England.
Danny Murphy believes he should, and Alan Shearer also reckons the City man should be playing more for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate has never really had Foden as a nailed-on starter for England, despite his obvious talent. Perhaps Foden’s versatility has actually counted against him previously.
Foden can play on both wings and this season for City, he’s cropped up on the right a number of times. He played in that position on Tuesday night against Copenhagen.
Bent was speaking about Foden, and believes that Bukayo Saka should be playing on England’s right wing ahead of the City man.
But Arsenal fan Bent adds he would still find a place for Foden, and believes he should be considered to play as a number 8, with Jude Bellingham as a number 10.
He said on talkSPORT: “I would go with Saka (on the right). Because I think he’s been better for England. I’m not saying I’m leaving him (Foden) out.
“I would go Declan Rice hold, and then you two go and do what you do, Bellingham and Foden. He starts, he has to start, Phil Foden.
“Do you know what would help Gareth? I know Pep is not here to help Gareth, but if he started playing Foden in that eight role for Manchester City.”
Foden could play as an eight
It is very debatable whether Saka would be a better option than Foden to play on the right for England.
But Foden simply has to be a starter for England and Southgate needs to work out how to get him into the team.
Bent’s suggestion is actually not too bad. Rice can hold, with Bellingham and Foden being more expressive in front of him, with the Real Madrid star perhaps the one to get himself into the box in and around Harry Kane.
Foden has the capacity to play as an eight, which is a box-to-box midfielder. For all his technical quality, the star always works his socks off by pressing, and actually has good defensive discipline.
It is going to be fascinating to see how England line up for their first group-stage match against Serbia – surely City’s maestro will be in that starting XI somewhere.
