Southgate's team talk writes itself in Euro 2024 audition

The month of March brought a high and a low for Phil Foden.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

One came when starring for Manchester City, leading a comeback against Manchester United with a two-goal display in the derby. The other arrived at Wembley, as England lost their unbeaten record before the Euros with a 1-0 defeat to Brazil. If a season-high of 18 touches in the United penalty area represented Foden’s flourishing ability to determine the biggest games as well as decorate them, a far quieter evening against Brazil brought one of a certain ineffectiveness: Foden’s night finished without having a single touch in the box.

The timing was conspicuous when Gareth Southgate needed others in his stretched and disjointed squad to step up in the absence of Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka – a factor that also explained England and Foden’s underwhelming outing. Foden will benefit from playing off Kane and with Saka providing natural width on the right of England’s attack, creating more natural spaces to roam inside along with Jude Bellingham. There is some frustration that Southgate has been unable to put together his front four for the Euros against either Brazil or Belgium, but Foden’s place within it feels secure at least.

Perhaps England and Foden would have benefited from some uncertainty, giving some impetus to a night where the 23-yearold could have grabbed it by the scruff of its neck, forming a stage where every touch and drive was an opportunity to leave a lasting impression.