Manchester City saw a significant number of their players feature in the 2024 European Championship.
In fact, City had more players from their squad (14) selected to represent their countries in the tournament than any other side in the Premier League.
With the new season underway, four names from Pep Guardiola’s ranks have recently been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Following this news, one pundit and former top-flight player has highlighted how one particular City player’s performances at the Euros may have an impact on his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
Gabby Agbonlahor says Phil Foden’s Ballon d’Or chances have been hit due to poor performances in the Euros
On the subject of whether international form should be taken into account when naming Ballon d’Or winners, Gabby Agbonlahor said this in a recent video shared on the talkSPORT YouTube channel about Phil Foden and his form for club and country last season.
He said: “Foden should be close but he didn’t have a great tournament as well. That’s the problem, player of the season in the Premier League, is that enough to get you in that top five of the Ballon d’Or?
“His form for Man City, he should do, but then you look at his form in the Euros, [it] wasn’t.”
Foden couldn’t replicate his City form in an England shirt
As Agbonlahor mentioned, Foden was named the Premier League’s Player of the Season after scoring 19 goals and providing eight assists in 35 games to help City win a fourth consecutive title.
Despite starting all seven of England’s games in Germany as they made it to the final against Spain, the 24-year-old failed to deliver even one goal contribution for the Three Lions.
After the Euros, Paul Merson claimed that Foden, as well as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, didn’t give England the X factor that they would have needed to win the tournament.
Taking all of that on board, it’s understandable why Agbonlahor thinks the City star’s lack of impact for England at the Euros could damage his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
