If a former England international can be likened to Phil Foden from a stylistic point of view in the past decade, it would be Jack Wilshere.
Wilshere, much like Foden was renowned for his low centre of gravity, immaculate technique and eye for a pass — even if he lacked the latter’s goalscoring instincts and consistency — mainly due to persistent injuries.
The retired midfielder, who now manages Arsenal’s Under-18 team can perhaps view the Manchester City attacker’s game from two separate lenses; one, as a player who possessed a similar profile and two, as a head coach.
Gareth Southgate felt Foden had one of his best games in an England shirt as his side beat Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-final of Euro 2024.
Jack Wilshere analyses Phil Foden positives as England book Euro 2024 semi-final place
Gary Lineker stated that the 24-year-old was one of England’s “key players” in the first-half of the game.
Foden could be in line to start in his first semi-final in a major tournament for the Three Lions against the Netherlands on Wednesday — judging by Southgate’s post-match assessment of his showing against the Swiss.
But Manchester City’s number 47 will be hoping he has made enough of a positive impression on Gareth Southgate to retain his place in the team.
At the elite level, no player is guaranteed a start in the XI — especially ahead of a knockout fixture.
Jack Wilshere believes that Foden put in a much-improved performance for England against Switzerland; pinpointing how that may have occurred due to him playing centrally.
Wilshere said, as quoted by The Sun (07/07/2024, page 57): “Phil Foden looked more like the player we see at Manchester City. Instead of being asked to start out wide and cut inside, he mainly held his position in the channel and had more of an influence on the game.”
A much-needed confidence boost for Phil Foden against Switzerland
Considering Foden looked much more at home in this England side against Switzerland, he would have received a much-needed confidence boost.
In knockout football in particular, self-assuredness is one of the most crucial traits to have.
Foden has all the talent in the world to turn the game on its head against the Netherlands.
But so far, the Stockport-born attacker has not looked as confident as he did in a Manchester City shirt last season.
If Foden took positives away from his outing against Switzerland and backs himself to impact England’s game against the Dutch, he could lead the Three Lions to a consecutive final appearance at the European Championship.
