Cesc Fabregas’ analysis of Phil Foden during England’s narrow Euro 2024 win over Serbia has gone viral.
On Sunday night, England produced a satisfactory performance as they recorded a 1-0 win over Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.
Jude Bellingham was the match winner as he arrived in the right place at the right time to head home a Bukayo Saka cross.
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During the post-match chat on BBC, the talk was centred around Manchester City superstar Foden, who struggled on the left side of England’s attack.
Ex-City defender Micah Richards began: “The big talking point for me tonight was Phil Foden. I think the first 20 minutes he got into some really good positions. We need to find a way to get the best out of him.
“He wasn't involved. At Manchester City we obviously know it's choreographed with the system and the movements and all those sorts of things. But it makes me sad when I see a player of this quality just in and out of games.”
At this point, former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Fabregas said: “Micah, I totally agree, but the same way that you see Jude imposing himself, wanting the ball, getting face to face against an opponent. He oozes this class. [Foden] needs to do that himself as well.”
Richards responded: “I totally agree with you, but Jude, in the centre of the park, he can do that. Off the ball, [Foden] is coming from a wide position. It's very difficult when Jude's got the freedom of the pitch and Phil is having to go from pressing out wide, to coming in midfield. He's playing with [Kieran] Trippier, who's not right-footed, he needs [Luke] Shaw to go and overlap so he can get those combinations.
“It's just sad to see because this season he's been immense. Watch Man City every other week and the stuff that he's doing for Man City we need to see it in an England shirt.”
Fabregas then said: “I love that you try to defend him, seriously, I get your point totally. But a player of this class, of this level, of this talent, for me sometimes, he doesn't even need to be told by the coach what he needs to do. He needs to want it more than the rest and for me today, it showed that Jude is a little bit above him in this regard.”
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Topics: Cesc Fabregas, Phil Foden, England, Serbia, Euro 2024, Football, Micah Richards
Marcus Chan