Phil Foden: Ex-Chief scout reveals real reason for Man City star’s struggles
Phil Foden struggles to adapt to the difference between his role at Man City and the job he is being asked to do for England.
This is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who worked with top players throughout his extensive career in recruitment, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Foden feels at home in Man City’s system and can struggle elsewhere.
The chaotic nature of international football and squad selection is also said to play a part, whereas he always knows what his role will be in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Last season’s Premier League Player of the Season has scored just four goals in 42 caps for his country – the same number as defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and fewer than Declan Rice.
Having the likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and more competing for places in the side, and the manager wanting to test out all of his options, can lead to further confusion.
Lee Carsley named five creative players in his side to face Greece, but England were defeated 2-1 and the experiment was immediately ruled a failure.
A more recognisable formation led to a 3-1 victory against Finland following that defeat, but the shock result was evidence of the exact reasons Foden struggles to thrive with England.
Phil Foden England struggles explained in new Man City verdict
Now, Brown, who spent over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has also called upon last season’s Premier League player of the season to step up for his country despite the reasons behind his struggles.
“He feels at home in the Man City way of playing,” he told Football Insider.
“He fits into that nicely, knows where he’s playing and what his role is and what his teammates’ roles are in their attack.
“When he goes away with England, it’s a case of is Bellingham playing in the number ten, is Cole Palmer playing wide, where’s Saka playing, who’s up front?
“That’s not a stable environment for a player like him, not knowing what his role’s going to be from game to game.
“But, Foden’s performances for England have not been good enough and there’s no doubt about that.
“In that game against Greece, I forgot he was playing. You want to see him step up.
“The issue in that game was there were too many similar players trying to do the same thing and trying to show why they’re the best at it, that’s why all of them struggled.”
In other news, Foden was labelled “cursed” after his cameo performance v Finland.
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