Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have been the two crown jewels of Manchester City’s academy over the past few years.
While Foden has emerged as a hero for his boyhood club, Palmer took a different path and has become a superstar for Chelsea.
Both players’ rise goes to show just how special City’s academy is.
Considering both Foden and Palmer are attacking midfielders, it will be interesting to see which player England interim boss Lee Carsley prefers as the number 10 in his side.
The Three Lions are set to face Greece and Finland in the UEFA Nations League soon.
Both Foden and Palmer are expected to be selected by Lee Carsley unless either are deemed unfit.
Carragher settles Foden-Palmer debate for England
The English pair might have to compete with each other to fight for a starting berth in the side.
Bukayo Saka’s track record for both Arsenal and England could mean his place on the right flank is guaranteed under Lee Carsley or the manager that is potentially drafted as the full-time Three Lions boss.
The likes of Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish and Eberechi Eze are far more accustomed to playing on the left-wing.
However, any manager would like to start either, if not both Foden and Palmer.
As things stand, Lee Carsley has the selection headache on his hands that his peers would like to.
On Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher initially revealed that last season, he internally felt Palmer had a superior season to Foden.
“Last season, I was a little bit reticent to say he was the best player in the Premier League. I actually felt he was but the fact Chelsea hadn’t had such a great season and I ended up going for [Phil] Foden just above him.”
“And most people went the same because Foden got, I think the two [PFA and Premier League] Player of the Year awards but inside me, I felt he was the best player in the Premier League.”
Jamie Carragher went on to state that in his view, Palmer should start over Foden for England.
“I actually feel a little bit for Phil Foden. He’s never really grabbed that England position, you’re talking about the national team.”
“And players have come from nowhere and almost took his place. So, at one stage, it felt like he was going to be the right-winger for England and then [Bukayo] Saka comes in.”
The pundit continued: “Then it’s okay, he’s the number 10, Jude Bellingham comes in and then you think okay, we’ll get Foden in the team somewhere, left-footed, Cole Palmer comes along.”
“Now I absolutely adore Phil Foden but Cole Palmer has to play in the England team because as I’ve said, for me, right now, there is no better player in the Premier League over the last sort of, what 15 months.”
Phil Foden should use Cole Palmer comparison as motivation
While Foden might struggle to view Palmer as his direct competition due to playing with him since a young age, he should use Jamie Carragher’s claim as the motivation to fuel him this season.
Due to how brilliantly his England teammate has performed for Chelsea, it is natural that he is being heralded as the solution to his nation’s attacking midfield position.
Palmer outshone Foden during Euro 2024 as well, notably assisting Ollie Watkins’ winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final and scoring the equaliser against Spain in the final.
The Manchester City midfielder’s objective should be to let his performances do the talking and emerge as England’s go-to number 10.
Currently, it is easy for many to underestimate Foden’s chances of thriving at international level as he is yet to have a breakout tournament.
But at 24, the six-time Premier League winner has plenty of time left to do so and he could silence his doubters by having yet another season to remember, first and foremost.
How the decorated technician reacts to Carragher’s claim upon his return to becoming a regular starter at City will be intriguing to witness.
Being the serial winner he is, Foden will be fired up to have yet another outstanding campaign.
