Manchester City have once again seen a significant number of their players get called up to represent their countries during the latest international break.
Last month’s break saw numerous players from City’s first-team squad feature in the previous round of Nations League fixtures.
With the next round underway, one match saw three City players start in England’s recent 2-1 defeat at Wembley Stadium.
One of those players was Phil Foden, who didn’t feature in any of England’s games during the previous international break.
Prior to the defeat to Greece, Lee Carsley said that Foden is more effective in central positions rather than out wide.
Having started in a central role alongside the likes of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, the 24-year-old found himself on the end of some specific criticism for how his night panned out.
Paul Robinson fumes over Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden
After seeing Foden get subbed off in the 72nd minute, Paul Robinson had this to say on BBC Radio 5 Live (via BBC Sport) about what was going wrong for the City star and how Jude Bellingham was involved as well.
He said: “I’ve said all night that Foden and Bellingham have got in each other’s way. Carsley’s tried to play them both as a 10. This system just hasn’t worked for England.”
Wayne Rooney claimed Foden is better than Bellingham
With the trio starting together on Thursday night, Wayne Rooney said this about Foden, Palmer and Bellingham in terms of who he feels is the best England player.
He said: “Foden for me. I know he hasn’t played that much this season for City but I think Phil Foden at his best, you know, he’s the best player England have got.
“I think Cole Palmer’s been sensational over the last season and the start of this season.
“Jude Bellingham, obviously, what he’s doing at Real Madrid. But for me, Phil Foden is the only one who I really enjoy watching.”
Looking back over the Greece match, with 32 touches of the ball in 72 minutes, Foden failed to make even one key pass, dribble or attempt at goal.
In comparison, Bellingham, who was playing alongside the City star in an advanced central role ahead of Palmer and Rice, had three shots at goal, made five successful dribbles and delivered one key pass.
With Robinson now sharing how the two midfielders were getting in each other’s way, the stats suggest that it was Bellingham who seemed to overshadow Foden on this occasion.
