England got off to a winning start at Euro 2024, beating Serbia 1-0 – but there has been criticism of Manchester City star Phil Foden.
Jude Bellingham grabbed the only goal of the game inside 13 minutes, powering in a brilliant header from Bukayo Saka’s cross from the right side.
England were brilliant in the first 30 minutes or so, with Serbia just unable to get near the Three Lions.
But it was a completely different story in the second-half. Englnd became sloppy, and Serbia really stepped up their game as they sought an equaliser.
But England held on for an important win, setting them up nicely for the next game with Denmark.
Following last night’s game, there has been some criticism of Phil Foden – and Cesc Fabregas believes he needs to take a leaf out of Bellingham’s book.
Cesc Fabregas shares how Phil Foden needs to be more like Jude Bellingham for England
Foden started for England on the left against Serbia.
He tried to come inside at times and play more of a free role, but he did mostly stick to the left side, and in the second-half he rarely came central as he had to keep defending when Serbia had the ball.
Foden is obviously no stranger to playing on the left.
He’s played mainly in the middle for City in 2023/24, but prior to last season he spent a lot of time on that left side.
But he didn’t have a good game last night, and just didn’t seem to have any rhythm.
Predictably, Foden has received some criticism for lacking influence, and he was spoken about by the BBC punditry team after the game.
Micah Richards admitted he felt ‘sorry’ for Foden. But Cesc Fabregas feels he needs to impose himself more.
He said: “The same way you see Jude imposing himself, wanting the ball, getting face-to-face against an opponent. He needs to do that himself as well.
“A player of this class and this level and talent doesn’t need to be told by the coach. He needs to want it more than the rest. For me, it showed that Jude is a bit above him in this regard and he needs to get his personality back and do what he does in Manchester City.”
Foden must do better
Some of the criticism of Foden last night is a bit much.
However, Foden will be the first to admit that it wasn’t his best game last night and that he can do better. It has been a little while since he featured on the left, and so hopefully he can get used to it quickly, because Bellingham seems to have nailed down the number 10 role. Jamie Carragher said after last night’s game that Bellingham should be the man in that position now.
Fabregas may well have a point. Foden should try to impose himself more and adopt some of Bellingham’s swagger.
The £225,000-a-week star has just come off the back of his best season ever and is currently the best player in the Premier League.
Last night he didn’t really play like it. But again, it’s a position he hasn’t featured in a great deal in recent times and he doesn’t deserve the ferocity of the criticism he’s had.