Phil Foden Frustration Due Not Installed By Southgate In Favorite Position

Phil Foden has yet to show his best performance with England at Euro 2024 (Instagram/@philfoden).

JAKARTA - Phil Foden looked frustrated throughout his time defending England at Euro 2024 from the group stage to the round of 16.

When interviewed by British media in BLAnkenhain, Foden did not appear to be compatible with Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka.

However, he refused. Foden insists that he has worked well together, especially with Bellingham in the second line of England.

"No, I don't agree with that. I feel we are working well together. That's how the game develops."

"In the last game against Slovakia (the last 16), we built everything very well in terms of keeping the ball more."

"We continue to press at the end of the match. I think we can unite in the next match," said Foden.

Foden's appearance at Manchester City is very different from when he defended England. While at The Citizens, he even earned the title of Best Player of the Premier League 2023/2024 and Best Player of Manchester City 2023/2024.

Foden scored 35 appearances, 19 goals, and eight assists throughout the Premier League last season. In total, he has defended City in 53 matches and scored 27 goals and 12 assists in the 2023/2024 season in all competitions.

However, Foden's ferocity was swallowed up by Earth when appearing for the Three Lions.

"I don't know, but I'm a little frustrated. I won't lie. I want to score goals, do better things for England."

"It hasn't worked yet, but it's about maintaining a good mentality. I'm not the best player in the Premier League to come here and not show it."

"I feel like every game I keep moving forward. Hopefully I can perform well and it's always been my goal for England," said Foden.

Manager Gareth Southgate is accused of being the culprit of not showing Foden's best abilities. The 24-year-old midfielder is not played in his favorite position so it is less than optimal.

Apparently, that didn't happen only to Foden. However, so far only the Manchester City player has clearly not been optimal.

He was stuck on the left, although he had swapped positions with Bellingham, during the game and had little effect.

Foden's best moment during Euro 2024 comes against Denmark in the group stage, including his shot that hit the post, as well as his goal which was disallowed against Slovakia in the round of 16.

The best performance arose because Foden came from the central position, according to his favorite position at Manchester City.

In addition to the position, Southgate also created a system of games that made it difficult for other players to 'find' Foden.

"For City, I have moved more to the middle and goals have increased. I am influenced by more games."

"I've always been honest about my position and saw myself playing in midfield. Even though I started on the left side for England, I've shifted to another position."

"It's more about how we control the ball. They haven't been able to find me because of the game."

"We didn't get many attacks in some games. We have to try harder and I hope there won't be the same game," said Foden.

Phil Foden hopes to be played in his favorite position when England meet Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

He admitted that from the four matches that had been run, he had improved.

"My first match at Euro 2024 was very quiet. I felt that in the game after that, I was developing in the tournament."

"I almost did it a few times. I felt my performance from the first game increased," he said.

England has ambitions to reach its first Euro semifinals since 1996. Previously, the Three Lions had touched the top four twice.

In fact, in the 2020 edition, England could step foot in the final and become runners-up after losing to Italy on penalties 3-2 (1-1).