PHIL FODEN knows and England fans know, that there’s still another gear or two to come from him.

I can see why the comparison with Paul Scholes is made in terms of players who have not consistently reproduced their incredible club form when they represent their country.

I think you can make an argument that Foden has already had a more successful international career than Scholes.
Don’t get me wrong. I loved Scholes as a player and looked up to him when I was young.
His achievements with Manchester United were amazing and he was part of one of the greatest teams in history.
But Foden has already reached the final of a major tournament with England, with some nice moments along the way at Euro 2020, and he had a decent World Cup.
Scholes would probably admit it is a slightly better record than his.
In turn, Foden would himself accept there is another step for him to take.
That might be winning something with England.
Or if we don’t win something, I still think he can show us more.
The most difficult thing for Foden is that when he is at Man City, they play a positional game.
They are all so well drilled, they understand so well what their position requires and where everyone else is, that Foden could do it with his eyes shut.
Coming away with England, it’s a different style of play with different team-mates.
It is inevitable that two players who want to get on the ball so much, like Foden and Jude Bellingham, will get in each other’s way sometimes.
I’ve heard people say that maybe Jude was doing too much against Serbia — which potentially had an effect on Foden.
It’s not as mad as it might sound.
Bellingham dropped deep like a No 6 at times, he was a No 8 at other moments, sometimes further forward as a No 10, and, for his goal, heading it in like a No 9!
But I believe the opposite is true — that Bellingham’s ability to excel in all those roles should actually help Foden and England.
Why I love Bellingham, and why I think the whole country loves Bellingham, is the way he takes hold of games.
He probably sensed that’s what was needed. If he comes low, that leaves space in the No 10 position for Foden.
They didn’t combine against Serbia as much as you would like. But you could see that they were looking for each other.
That’s what happens when two players with a really high understanding of the game play together.
When Bellingham gets the ball, even if he is only lending it to Foden to get it back, or vice versa, they want to combine and make something happen.
We have to get them between the lines and receiving on the half turn, playing forward.
As I said before the tournament, I believe they can play in the same team, as two No 10s, with Declan Rice as the only holding player — especially in the group games.
Gareth Southgate almost certainly won’t do that and Foden will probably start on the left wing again against Denmark.
Going back to Scholes, he was never a left winger, his only position was in the middle, but he could not or did not play there for England because of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Foden CAN play on the left. But circumstances at Euro 2024 are making it harder.
In order for him to cause the opposition full-back problems, he needs a left back behind him who is going to overlap.
But Kieran Trippier is right-footed. He’s not going to take on a player on the outside like Josko Gvardiol does for City, for instance.
The opposition know that and it changes how they press. Foden is marked all the time, especially against a back five like Serbia had.
Even if the wing-back or full-back doesn’t follow him, he’s going into another centre-back.
The set-up has worked for Gareth Southgate before but it functions so much better with a left-footed left-back.
Luke Shaw scored in the Euro 2020 final by getting round the outside. It gives you a different dimension in attack.
Even if our left-back doesn’t go around the outside, the opposing full-back is thinking about it and can end up over-covering by a foot or two feet. And that creates a crucial extra bit of space for Foden.
It will make such a difference if Shaw returns to fitness and is able to play.
But we don’t know if and when that will be, so Foden and England will have to get on with it.
And he will know himself that he wasn’t at his best against Serbia.
Giving the ball away will have annoyed him.
He’s used to completing probably 90 to 95 per cent of his passes in every game, including those decisive passes.
He is good at dribbling and combining but he can also make that final ball, or the one before the final ball.
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The weight and timing of the pass is usually perfect.
But Foden was not the only one to be below par, especially in the second half.
England ended up defending with a midfield five and even when we won the ball back, Serbia still had three men back there.
In those circumstances it probably would have been better to put Anthony Gordon or Eberechi Eze on as left winger.
Foden is not the biggest or strongest. He’s not your typical winger, who is going to take someone on down the line, which is what we probably needed.
The Denmark game today should be a bit different.
Denmark will go into a block at some points of the game, but they will try to play out from the back and be more expansive.
That will suit Foden and England.
In the last two seasons, especially the one just gone, you’ve seen him step up in big moments for City and take responsibility. I am convinced he is trying to do that for England, too.
Foden and Scholes are different types of player from different eras.
Foden has plenty of time to make his mark in this tournament.
And at only 24, he could go on to become a true England legend.
He is a generational talent so it would be a shame if he didn’t.
Joyaepyz
0
so jordan henderson and harry maguire have done more than scholes too as they reached the final. scholes scored a nice hatrick for england and some beautiful assists against better teams
ssegbe1
0
who the fuck is scholes. Scholes albino aka jarto, he cannot see correctly
ssegbe1
0
scholes has never major trophy with England. jarto scholes
Jaysonkayson
0
bla bla bla foden isn't scholes and will never be one. period. just a noisy neighbour.
Noisy neighbors that bring glory home not the ones that make noise and have their roofs leaking
Jaysonkayson
0
foden is a flop hiding under pep and u comparing him to Paul u most be sick in the head
Paul was a flop hiding behind Sir Alex
NagaManu
0
🎶There's no excuse my friend.... 🎶
cipabcnouz
0
foden is a flop hiding under pep and u comparing him to Paul u most be sick in the head
Kril5150
0
fake fhake
Heikal_Mahsir
0
bla bla bla foden isn't scholes and will never be one. period. just a noisy neighbour.
msiwela07
1
Well said, bro, but he rarely plays left wing even for his club. He plays right wing or midfield, plus Guardiola's understanding of space is quite different... he's playing, but Southgate has not been able to fashion out how to play two similar types of players in d same line-up... many times in d match, Bellingham is occupying the space he's supposed to invert to, and that's the problem.... Saka was asked to stay wide, while Foden was asked to cut in, and Jude is always occupying the space... let's hope for a change of tactics today....
point broe thanks a lot
Omo_Ologo
0
ok broe i do get you but honestly speaking Scholes played on a CDM or AM during his time at Manchester United he was never ever deployed on the wing. but as for Foden he has been playing in that position on the left or right wing he only moved to the CAM during the time when KDB had persistent injury issues it's not like he isn't familiar with that position. to me he just want the CAM thats why he's underperforming
Well said, bro, but he rarely plays left wing even for his club. He plays right wing or midfield, plus Guardiola's understanding of space is quite different... he's playing, but Southgate has not been able to fashion out how to play two similar types of players in d same line-up... many times in d match, Bellingham is occupying the space he's supposed to invert to, and that's the problem.... Saka was asked to stay wide, while Foden was asked to cut in, and Jude is always occupying the space... let's hope for a change of tactics today....
DUTCH8UKBLUE
0
I see absolutely no evidence that Bellingham or Rice even acknowledge that FODEN is on the park!... CTID 💙 💙 💙 💙
msiwela07
0
bro, I'm also highlighting the fact that Scholes was also poor for his country and had to retire early bcos he couldn't withstand being consistently played out of position to accommodate Lampard and Gerrard... so comparing Foden with Scholes in regards to the national team isn't out of place bcos they're both having the same issues, i.e., being played out of position to accommodate others..... so, to me, the writer is spot on by comparing both in regards to the England national team
ok broe i do get you but honestly speaking Scholes played on a CDM or AM during his time at Manchester United he was never ever deployed on the wing. but as for Foden he has been playing in that position on the left or right wing he only moved to the CAM during the time when KDB had persistent injury issues it's not like he isn't familiar with that position. to me he just want the CAM thats why he's underperforming
Omo_Ologo
0
you're not getting the point. the issue isn't about Scholes but its all about Foden always have a bad game for his nation. i was just highlighting the stupidity of the writter on how did he come to compare the 2 players. mentioning Scholes was just to seek attention only
bro, I'm also highlighting the fact that Scholes was also poor for his country and had to retire early bcos he couldn't withstand being consistently played out of position to accommodate Lampard and Gerrard... so comparing Foden with Scholes in regards to the national team isn't out of place bcos they're both having the same issues, i.e., being played out of position to accommodate others..... so, to me, the writer is spot on by comparing both in regards to the England national team
viaacelors
1
shaw is just lucky to in the sqaud he perfonce at mu is bad
msiwela07
0
did Scholes ever perform well for his country....?
you're not getting the point. the issue isn't about Scholes but its all about Foden always have a bad game for his nation. i was just highlighting the stupidity of the writter on how did he come to compare the 2 players. mentioning Scholes was just to seek attention only
Omo_Ologo
1
lolz.... someone that won PFA player of the year is lucky..... pls how many PFA did Scholes win in his career...?
the same could be said concerning you too..... imagine saying someone is lucky to be in a better squad wen he was nominated as d best player in the entire league was Scholes not in d best squad then.....? does that mean Scholes was also lucky to b in a better squad then...?
GaddafiJamal
0
lolz.... someone that won PFA player of the year is lucky..... pls how many PFA did Scholes win in his career...?
I Think Reading Is Really Hard & Difficult For You😂😂💔🤦♂️
Omo_Ologo
0
Even In His Own Club, He Never Performed Well, He Was Just Lucky To Be In A Better Squad To Win Trophies😂😂💔🤦♂️
lolz.... someone that won PFA player of the year is lucky..... pls how many PFA did Scholes win in his career...?
pumbdelnru
0
Excuses after excuses
never say he is better than scholes pls try to understand the writer
GaddafiJamal
1
did Scholes ever perform well for his country....?
Even In His Own Club, He Never Performed Well, He Was Just Lucky To Be In A Better Squad To Win Trophies😂😂💔🤦♂️
Omo_Ologo
1
you had to mention Paul Scholes to gain relevance. why all these excuses for the boy who has never performed well for his nation. just because he plays for City and they won the league that makes him undroppable. drop the boy and play Gordon. Southgate is a scam
did Scholes ever perform well for his country....?
zodakoruy
2
😂😂😂😂
vuaabdipu
1
You can't compare Scholes to Foden Foden still has a lot to improve to reach Scholes's level Plus when it comes to titles' play styles This comparison is just wrong at this time
msiwela07
3
you had to mention Paul Scholes to gain relevance. why all these excuses for the boy who has never performed well for his nation. just because he plays for City and they won the league that makes him undroppable. drop the boy and play Gordon. Southgate is a scam
Puhcknrsuz
0
very stupid analysis.
Vicacnpyz
0
Excuses after excuses