BLANKENHAIN | It has, in his own words, been a “mad” week for Phil Foden.
Not long after having a front row seat for Jude Bellingham’s stunning overhead kick against Slovakia, he was dashing home for the birth of his third child before hurrying back to prepare for the quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
Foden has been one of the most puzzling players for England — a Treble-winner and last season’s Premier League Player of the Year at Manchester City but unable to hit those heights for his country, where he usually plays out of his preferred position. A player who raises as many questions as he answers on the pitch.
Can he function with Bellingham? Should he play in the middle? What was this week like? Is it true he’s the best darts player in the squad?
Here’s what he had to say at England’s Blankenhain training camp…
Saved by the bell
Foden had just been substituted in the dying minutes of the game against Slovakia and was walking behind the goal when he turned around to see Bellingham launch himself into the air and score that stunning late equaliser.
“I thought I’m 30 seconds away from doing baby feeds at home, so thanks to Jude for that, thanks for doing it, saved me there,” Foden said, bursting out laughing.
The next day he was on a plane for the planned pregnancy of his third child, whose name he wishes to keep private. “It was arranged,” he explained. “I spoke to Gareth [Southgate] to let him know and Gareth being Gareth he’s really good with things like that.”
What was it like? “Obviously it is mad to go back home and come back out, but the main focus is trying to win the Euros.”
But can he play by the bell?
Questions have been asked about whether Foden and Bellingham can function in the same team together. Two of the best young players in the world — Foden voted the best in England, Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham the best in Spain — but who effectively play in the same position.
For England, Foden has started on the left wing and the pair have rotated and roamed, but it does not appear to be working yet.
England’s left side has been its weakest point.
Is it true they can’t play together, as some say?
“I don’t agree with that,” Foden said. “I feel we do work good together. It’s just the way the games have gone sometimes and the way football works, I feel like the last game we did build on it really well, in terms of keeping the ball a lot more, we piled pressure on the end, I feel like it can hopefully click together in the next game.”
Man in the middle
There has been a clamour from some quarters for Foden to be given the No 10 spot, where he plays for his club, behind Harry Kane, moving Bellingham back into one of the two deeper-lying midfield roles.
The results for Manchester City have been spectacular: 27 goals as one of the most influential players in the best team in the Premier League.
“I think 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 so, I have always said I have been honest about my position and I have always seen myself as playing midfield,” Foden said.
“I feel like even though I have started on the left, I have drifted into those positions. It is more how we have been on the ball and not been able to find me because of the way the games have been.”
Bullseye
Enough about No 10s — let’s talk about 180s. Apparently Foden is a demon on the dartboard. Can he comment on the rumours?
“I love darts. I’ve been having a few games with the lads here. No-one’s beat me yet.”
Foden started playing darts when he was eight years old on a dartboard at his family home – challenging anyone to a game – and has hit three 180s at the camp already (not that he’s keeping count…)
Eberechi Eze is his closest challenger, if only because he refuses to give up.
“The more I beat him the more he tries to play me,” Foden says, smiling. “Which I like because that’s the mentality I’ve got. When I’m losing I always want to play again and that’s what he’s like. Every time I beat him he’s like, Get your darts, we go again.”
Running man
Something not always obvious about Foden, given his attacking prowess, is that he often tops the charts for distance run in games, and it has been the case in Germany. Foden is putting in the hard yards.
“I’m one for always working hard,” Foden said. “If you look at my stats the majority of the time I’m the one who’s run the most. People don’t see that side of the game which is important.”
How did that happen? “When I first went into the first team [at City] the players in front of me the only way I was going to get an opportunity was working hard. I feel it’s come from that, training every day, putting my head down, working extremely hard. Now I do it without even thinking about it.”
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