Manchester City star Phil Foden has given his reaction to the suggestions from some that he cannot play with Jude Bellingham.
Foden has been one of the most talked about England players at Euro 2024.
The 24-year-old just finished the best season of his life with City, winning the Premier League Player of the Season award at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
But his form has sadly not translated to the national team this summer.
Despite playing mostly as a number 10 last term and thriving, Foden has been shunted out to the left wing by Gareth Southgate, who has preferred to deploy Jude Bellingham in an advanced midfield role.
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Foden’s position has been the talk of the town, with some feeling he and Bellingham currently just don’t work together as they perhaps should.
Foden has now given his reaction to the criticism.
Phil Foden dismisses talk that he and Jude Bellingham can’t play together for England
Foden has admitted he is a bit frustrated at the moment with the way things have been going with England.
The £225,000-a-week City star knows that he hasn’t hit the heights expected.
He has not been bad by any means. But there is little doubt he hasn’t been anywhere near the level he showed for City throughout 2023/24.
But Foden has been playing on the left, which is a position he didn’t play much in last term. He also has Kieran Trippier behind him and not the more natural Luke Shaw.
It’s been difficult for him, and some have suggested that he and Bellingham – arguably the two most talented players England have – have not linked up in the way many expected.
But Foden has dismissed this talk, insisting he and Bellingham can get it right.
He told the Daily Mail: “‘I have shown this season for City that I have moved more centrally and the goals have gone up and I have influenced more games. I have always been honest about my position and I have always seen myself as playing midfield.”
“I don’t agree (that Foden and Bellingham can’t play together), I feel it can click in the last games.”
A better manager would have Foden and Bellingham thriving together
There is just no way that two players as good as this cannot play together in the same team.
Ultimately, Foden and Bellingham could both thrive if they were just deployed correctly.
Southgate’s management of this pair has been totally baffling at Euro 2024. He is not getting the best out of Foden playing him wide on the left. Bellingham, despite his two goals at the tournament, has also been poor for the most part.
That stunning equaliser from Bellingham against Slovakia should not give justification for him continuing to play the number 10 role.
Bellingham has the profile to play as a number eight. He can arrive in the box, but also use his physicality a bit deeper to help Declan Rice.
Foden should be playing as a number 10, and Anthony Gordon, a natural wide player should be on the left to be the outlet that he is. It’s all about good balance, and Southgate has been neglecting that thus far.
