The Three Lions are currently struggling as the World Cup year commences. Consequently, securing a spot in the final squad is becoming a challenging prospect for several prominent players.
Thomas Tuchel has stressed that Manchester City’s midfield star Phil Foden does not have an automatic guarantee for a place in England’s World Cup roster. The German coach stated that the participation of the former poster boy of English football is not assured.
England delivered underwhelming performances during this international break at Wembley. A 1-1 draw against Uruguay was followed by a 0-1 defeat to Japan on Tuesday evening, a result that was met with jeers from the London crowd.
Foden, who has faced issues with consistency and a lack of regular playing time at Manchester City, was given a starting opportunity by Tuchel in both matches. Against Uruguay, the 24-year-old operated as a playmaker. In the game against Japan, he shared this role with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer – and contributed to England’s failure to register a single shot on target in the first half of a friendly, a first since 2017.
Phil Foden: Training Success, Match Struggle
«Phil tried everything,» Tuchel initially said in his defence, before elaborating: «I would say he was outstanding in training, but he struggles to translate that into games. He hasn’t had many minutes at City recently. Then he arrived at our camp with a big grin and was so strong in the sessions.» Tuchel thought Foden would «surprise us and play with the same momentum and enthusiasm.»
«But yes, he has trouble making a real impact,» concluded the former Bayern Munich coach.
The debate surrounding Foden continues to simmer in England. For a long time, he was hailed as a potential saviour for England’s attack. However, his exceptional performances, which helped him become a Champions League winner, six-time English champion, and England’s Footballer of the Year at ManCity, have not been consistently replicated while wearing the Three Lions’ jersey. In 49 international appearances, the attacking midfielder has managed a mere four goals.
Furthermore, he no longer holds a guaranteed starting spot at City, which certainly doesn’t boost his standing with Tuchel regarding a potential place in the World Cup squad. Especially given the notable competitors in his position, such as Palmer, Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal FC), and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa).
When asked if he might still include a struggling player like Foden in the World Cup squad, the 52-year-old replied with a smile: «I can. But the question is whether we will. There’s no guarantee he will be there.»
Phil Foden’s Performance Statistics at Man City This Season
| Appearances | 41 |
| Full 90-minute appearances | 17 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 |