Former England player Chris Waddle says Manchester City attacking midfielder Phil Foden should start on the right flank for his country at the European Championships.
Many expect Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate to select Bukayo Saka on that wing, but Waddle told the Gambling Zone that he would actually favour Foden ahead of the Arsenal star, with Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze playing on the opposite side:
“I would start Eze on the left and Foden on the right. Saka isn’t getting into my preferred midfield. You then play Palmer behind Kane and put Bellingham next to Rice.”
“Gareth sees things differently. He will play Bellingham in a more advanced role, Foden on the left and Saka on the right. The one question mark is who he picks to play next to Declan Rice. I really like Kobbie Mainoo, I think he’s a great prospect. I would go with him, but I think Gareth is leaning towards Gallagher.”
Foden performs better as a no.10
If you look at the stats, the 24-year-old has played his best football down the middle this season. Playing in behind the no.9, Foden scored 13 goals in 15 appearances for City.
In contrast, the midfielder scored only 4 times in 21 games off the right flank. If Waddle was picking his forward line based on their effectiveness in front of goal, you would switch Palmer to the right and deploy Foden centrally.
The City star is unlikely to get his preferred role
It does look like Foden will start on the left when England take on Serbia this weekend. It is not his favoured position, but it must be said that he has been pretty much unstoppable no matter where Pep Guardiola has picked him for his club.
Foden will, of course, be hoping to take that form with him when he plays for his country in Germany over the next few weeks.
