LONDON: Thomas Tuchel suggests that Phil Foden’s place in England’s squad for the World Cup is not guaranteed after once again failing to show off his best performance with the Three Lions.
Foden struggled with a different role in attack in the absence of Harry Kane in the 0-1 defeat to Japan in a friendly earlier this morning last night.
After starting the season well, the 25-year-old player has also seen less and less of a place in Manchester City’s main squad under Pep Guardiola since recently.
“He has tried everything. I could say he was brilliant throughout the training camp, but he found it difficult to show that performance in the middle of the field,” said Tuchel.
“Obviously he didn’t play much with City before this, then came into camp with a smile and did well in training.
“I thought he would surprise us with a powerful and confident performance, but he still failed to make a full impact.”
Foden rarely brings his best achievements at club level to the international stage, including when he helped England reach the Euro 2024 final after winning the Premier League’s best player award.
He now faces fierce competition from Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers for the position in the center of attack in Tuchel’s squad.
“It’s not a guarantee that he will be selected,” stressed Tuchel when asked about the opportunity to take players who are currently struggling to the World Cup in North America.
The defeat against Japan was Tuchel’s second in 12 matches with England, but he has still not beaten a team ranked in the world’s top 20 in more than a year at the helm.
Following a 1-1 draw against Uruguay last week, the German manager insisted a tough season in March would not determine their fate, while remaining confident England can end their wait since 1966 for a major trophy.
“We will not forget our dreams, we will not stop asking ‘why not?’,” he said.
“The most important thing now is for the players to return to their respective clubs, finish the season well, then we will regroup and make neat preparations to move forward.”