Phil Foden’s place in England’s World Cup squad is uncertain, as manager Thomas Tuchel indicated that the 25-year-old does not have a guaranteed selection. Foden was the only player to start both games in England’s final camp before the World Cup squad selection, but his recent form has raised concerns.
In England’s recent defeat to Japan, Foden played in a false nine role but registered the fewest touches of any England starter before being withdrawn. This performance comes amid a challenging period for the Manchester City forward, who has started just four of his club’s last 15 games and has not scored since December 14, when he concluded a streak of six goals in five matches.
Foden has made only one goal contribution for Manchester City since mid-December, prompting questions about his readiness for the World Cup. “Well, it’s not a guarantee that he will come,” Tuchel stated, highlighting the competition for places in the squad.
Despite these challenges, Tuchel noted that Foden arrived at the training camp with a positive attitude, saying, “Obviously he didn’t have a lot of minutes for City recently, then he came to camp with the brightest smile and was so good in training.” However, Tuchel emphasized the need for offensive players to deliver creativity and scoring opportunities, stating, “If we put offensive players on the pitch we demand offensive actions, creativity, dribbling, shots and assists and we clearly didn’t have enough.”
Foden has scored 10 goals in 41 appearances this season and has won six Premier League titles, showcasing his talent and potential. Pep Guardiola, his manager at Manchester City, expressed confidence in Foden’s abilities, saying, “The contribution is incredible. It’s a normal process in a long, long career. It’s a normal situation. He will click and be back.”
As the deadline for Tuchel to submit his final squad to FIFA approaches on May 30, observers will be closely watching Foden’s performance in the coming weeks. England’s World Cup campaign is set to begin against Croatia on June 17, and the team’s success may hinge on the form of key players like Foden.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding Foden’s final status in the squad, but his recent performances will undoubtedly influence Tuchel’s decision-making process.
