Every time Phil Foden visits his parents, he stops to take a look at a closet at his home that shows all the medals and trophies he has won during his brief but already brilliant football career.
In addition to the medal of a Premier League winner, his most valuable item is the medal he won in 2017 for winning the U-17 World Cup with England.
Three years later, Foden embarked on a adventure with his country’s senior team – it no longer this kid with scandalous skillability for greatness, yet now a complete member of one of the most productive groups in Europe.
“I need to keep my shirt and play for England for many years,” said the 20-year-old Manchester City midfielder in his first week of training with the national team.
His confidence is superior and surprising.
By the end of last season, Foden had earned the acceptance of city manager Pep Guardiola to such an extent that he was deployed as a fake nine in the team’s most important game of the season, unlike Real Madrid in the last 16 champions.League games.
During his decisive season at City, he also played on the left and right wing, and sometimes fell into his position as an offensive midfielder.
In the long run, Foden has the attributes of being the replacement for midfielder David Silva in the city’s midfield: he is left-handed, has a low center of gravity, a first touch and a glorious strategy and can escape the tight spaces.- Guardiola lately prefers to play with him in the three most sensitive.
But by next week, England coach Gareth Southgate will rule a young man who says he will be inspired by his call-up to the major team for the League of Nations playoffs against Iceland on Saturday and Denmark on Tuesday.
“If you win youth tournaments, it can give you the joy of going to the first team to win one,” Foden said of the under-17 tournament in India, when he was england captain.”I feel like this Cup of Mundo.Me helped you play at a great level and not feel so much tension.
“I’ve played a lot of games in Man City now, and I’ve learned to deal with enthusiasts and pressure.”
The same can be said of the other highly qualified teenagers in the Southgate team, such as 18-year-old Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood, who also called for the first time last week, and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, 20.Mount, a 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder, is likely to start opposing Iceland.
Southgate is looking to engage them as much as you can imagine before the European Championship, which has been delayed for a year until June 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.Foden and Greenwood probably wouldn’t have been part of the team if the tournament had been held this year.
They come without any foreign chess background, without the anxiety that has chained the last generation of English players.
“Nothing surprises us,” Foden said of English youth.” We’re just going to play our football.And I think it’s a smart thing to do because we don’t think too much.We can start controlling the games now because we have players for it.
“There are a lot of young players who are now betting at the highest level. It turns out that every year young players play more important games. It’s smart to see that.”
Foden had to wait for his time at City, Guardiola did not rush a player who believes he will be a normal in the team for years. There were 10 appearances in all competitions in the 2017–18 season, 26 in the 2018–19 season and 38 in the past.Season.
Foden has discovered tactics to get ahead in difficult times.
“When I was younger and at the academy, I was much smaller than the other players, so I had to use my brain more,” he said.”Finally, I started growing up and when I made my first team, it was a step.”ahead of the youth team, I had to adapt quickly.
“So I’ve definitely tried to go to the gym a lot more now and be much taller.Trying to adapt to the physical aspect is the hardest thing for me.
Foden’s next challenge is to join the England team and stay there for next year’s Euros.Wait for him to pass his last check, too.
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Steve Douglas is in https://twitter.com/sdouglas80