One of Lee Carsley’s biggest tasks as England’s interim manager will be to get the best out of Phil Foden for his country.
It has been reported that Carsley intends to start Foden against Greece in a deeper midfield position in the UEFA Nations League.
During Gareth Southgate’s tenure, Foden struggled to set the world alight for England.
Despite heading into Euro 2024 off the back of the season of his life, the £225,000-a-week midfielder was one of the Three Lions’ most underwhelming players in Germany.
However, a fresh start in an England shirt presents itself for the Manchester City technician after Lee Carsley’s appointment on an interim basis.
It will be fascinating to see how Foden fares against Greece if he starts or even comes off the bench.
Carsley reveals Foden plan for England
Lee Carsley will certainly be reliant on the 24-year-old to step up to the plate during his time in charge of the national team.
Regardless of how Foden has performed for England in the past, he remains one of their best players and a true match-winner of the highest order.
With that being the case, the dream scenario for Lee Carsley would be to ensure that the Stockport-born attacker can replicate his performances at club level for his nation.
However, the best players at the international level also play within tactical environments that suit them.
Ahead of England’s contest against Greece, Lee Carsley broke down how he intends to deploy Foden.
Carsley said via the Daily Mail: “Phil’s [Foden] an unbelievable player.”
“We’re very lucky to have someone of his talent and mentality and we need to make sure we put him in positions where he can really affect the opposition.”
“Sometimes in wider positions, he can do it but we’ll have to change the way we play to get the best out of him. He’ll be central a lot, wider when we’re out of possession. Phil’s most effective centrally.”
Phil Foden should be excited about Lee Carsley plan
Based on Carsley’s assessment, Foden could be handed a similar role to the one he plays in at Manchester City.
Much like Pep Guardiola, Lee Carsley intends to utilise the six-time Premier League winner as a midfielder when England have possession and as a winger when they do not.
Often, Gareth Southgate would ask Foden to play as a touchline winger, a role that does not suit his game.
But it seems like Lee Carsley has profiled Foden perfectly.
How the treble-winner gels with England’s other mercurial talents like Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer will be intriguing to witness.
But if Foden is provided a role that fits him well, the responsibility will be on him to start firing for England.
