Wayne Rooney has revealed where he thinks Gareth Southgate will deploy Phil Foden for England at Euro 2024.
Rooney feels Foden should be tasked to play centrally, as he feels he is at his best from such areas of the pitch.
Gareth Southgate revealed last month that the idea is to ensure that the 24-year-old can play in central areas — regardless of whether he starts in midfield or as a winger.
Previously, Foden has explained that the reason why he enjoys playing as a number 10 is due to the variety of tasks at hand in the position — coming short, receiving the ball behind the opposition midfielder and trying to make things happen in possession.
Wayne Rooney predicts how England will use Phil Foden at Euro 2024
Rooney himself was often played in a variety of positions for the Three Lions.
At Euro 2016, Roy Hodgson famously deployed the legendary goalscorer as a left-winger.
Speaking on The Overlap: Fan Debate Euros Special, Rooney predicted that Foden would be deployed on the left-wing for England at Euro 2024.
The 38-year-old said: “I think [Phil] Foden will go left [wing], Jude [Bellingham] will go in there [as the number 10] and he’ll either bring Trent [Alexander-Arnold] or [Conor] Gallagher [alongside Declan Rice in midfield].”
How the left-back is deployed could impact how Phil Foden plays
If either Trent Alexander-Arnold or Conor Gallagher start alongside Declan Rice in midfield, the Manchester City talisman will likely play out wide.
Rooney will perhaps be proven correct about Foden starting on the left flank as well, considering Saka seems like a nailed-on starter on the right.
How either Kieran Trippier or Luke Shaw are utilised in the role could have a major impact on how City’s number 47 fares in Germany.
If either Trippier or Shaw do not go beyond their attack or even tuck into midfield, Foden will be deployed as a touchline winger — a role that does not suit a natural midfielder like him.
But if Gareth Southgate ensures that his starting left-back provides the width by occupying the touchline, the Stockport-born attacker could drift into midfield — as has occurred when the English technician has been paired with Josko Gvardiol on the left flank.
Such a dynamic could bode well for both Foden and his country.