Darren Bent identifies alternative position Man City ace Phil Foden could play for England

Darren Bent identifies alternative position Man City ace Phil Foden could play for England

Darren Bent says he would⊥ pick Bukayo Saka over Phil Foden to play on the right for England – but did suggest a new position the Manchester City man could play.

Foden has been in sensational form this season for City, and after his fine display against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night, he has now scored 15 goals and supplied 10 assists across all competitions.

Foden really stepped up in the absences of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, and has continued to shine after their returns.

The 23-year-old is in the form of his life right now, leading some people to talk about his England prospects, with Euro 2024 taking place this summer.

Yesterday, Darren Bent offered an interesting suggestion regarding where Foden could play for the Three Lions…

Darren Bent suggests Phil Foden could play ‘number 8’ role for England because of Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham
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A number of pundits have stated that Foden should be starting regularly for England.

Danny Murphy believes he should, and Alan Shearer also reckons the City man should be playing more for the Three Lions.

Gareth Southgate has never really had Foden as a nailed-on starter for England, despite his obvious talent. Perhaps Foden’s versatility has actually counted against him previously.

Foden can play on both wings and this season for City, he’s cropped up on the right a number of times. He played in that position on Tuesday night against Copenhagen.

Bent was speaking about Foden, and believes that Bukayo Saka should be playing on England’s right wing ahead of the City man.

But Arsenal fan Bent adds he would still find a place for Foden, and believes he should be considered to play as a number 8, with Jude Bellingham as a number 10.

He said on talkSPORT: “I would go with Saka (on the right). Because I think he’s been better for England. I’m not saying I’m leaving him (Foden) out.

“I would go Declan Rice hold, and then you two go and do what you do, Bellingham and Foden. He starts, he has to start, Phil Foden.

“Do you know what would help Gareth? I know Pep is not here to help Gareth, but if he started playing Foden in that eight role for Manchester City.”

Foden could play as an eight
It is very debatable whether Saka would be a better option than Foden to play on the right for England.

But Foden simply has to be a starter for England and Southgate needs to work out how to get him into the team.

Bent’s suggestion is actually not too bad. Rice can hold, with Bellingham and Foden being more expressive in front of him, with the Real Madrid star perhaps the one to get himself into the box in and around Harry Kane.

Foden has the capacity to play as an eight, which is a box-to-box midfielder. For all his technical quality, the star always works his socks off by pressing, and actually has good defensive discipline.

It is going to be fascinating to see how England line up for their first group-stage match against Serbia – surely City’s maestro will be in that starting XI somewhere.

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has been in sensational form this season and has opened up on his role in the team and the absence of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland

Phil Foden has been in outstanding form for Manchester City (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
England midfielder Phil Foden believes he’s ‘playing my best football’ after scoring eight goals in 10 games. He’s aiming for a second consecutive treble with Manchester City. Foden stepped up his game when Kevin De Bruyne was out due to injury, shining in a central role in many matches in the first half of the season.

Even though De Bruyne is back in action, Foden’s performance hasn’t dipped. Playing alongside De Bruyne, Foden excelled in Tuesday’s Champions League victory at FC Copenhagen, scoring his eighth goal in 10 games.

“I think it’s the most run of games that I’ve played in a City shirt consistently,” said Foden. “I’m in good form, scoring consistently and helping the team as much as I can and I’m delighted with that. I want to keep doing that, that’s the goal every game. I’d say I’m playing my best football in a City shirt.”

Fodens best position for club and country has been a subject of debate (John Walton/PA) (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Foden has been tipped for greatness since his time in City’s junior ranks. It’s now over six years since he made his senior debut.

When star striker Erling Haaland joined De Bruyne on the sidelines in December, Foden felt it was his time to step up.

“I think I had to,” said Foden, who scored a hat-trick in last week’s Premier League win at Brentford. “They are two massive players for us, so key last year for us winning the treble. It was time for me to step up.”

City’s 3-1 win in Copenhagen was a continuation of their winning streak, making it their 11th victory in all comps. They are the favourites to keep hold of the three major trophies they snapped up last season and Foden is confident they still possess the drive to succeed.

Foden commented: “We’re showing that we’re still determined and playing the same football as last year and still wanting to win all the games. Hopefully that continues and we don’t drop our level or form.

“We’re focused. We stick by each other and it’s a pleasure to be a part of this team. I look around the dressing room and I still see the determination and hunger.”

Foden has been open about enjoying a central position on the field, which sparked national discussion when England boss Gareth Southgate placed him in a wider role.

Foden explained: “I’ve said previously that I prefer to play in the middle but I’ll do a job wherever the manager puts me. Tuesday I was out wide, and I got a goal and an assist. I’m delighted.”