John Stones has made an interesting claim about one of his teammates at Manchester City.
Stones is currently away at the European Championship, hoping to finally win a major trophy for England. The Manchester City defender has started in the Three Lions’ first two games against Serbia and Denmark. Currently, Gareth Southgate’s side are sitting atop of Group C.
John Stones makes interesting Phil Foden claim
However, if England fail to beat Slovenia and Denmark defeat Serbia, Stones and Co. will finish in second place behind the Danes.
In that case, Southgate’s side will face hosts and potentially the best team in the tournament Germany in the Round of 16.
Ahead of England’s upcoming clash against Slovenia, Stones initially had his say on where Phil Foden likes playing most.
On talkSPORT, he said: “I think Phil [Foden] personally loves playing probably through the middle. He has played so much in every position up top for us at City. I think it’s a difficult one. I think that I am glad that I am not the manager to make those decisions.”
Stones went on to state that wherever Foden plays, he does so at a splendid standard.
“Wherever Phil plays, for me, he is incredible. He is a top player and obviously everyone has their strengths in different positions and I think it’s where you know everyone’s entitled to their opinion again. I just want Phil to enjoy his football. I think that’s when he is at his best.”
Phil Foden has his best position but his versatility cannot be understated
As Stones stated, Foden is an incredibly versatile player.
The £225,000-a-week man’s slow start to Euro 2024 would perhaps lead some to believe that he is only effective as an attacking midfielder.
But for the majority of the six-time Premier League winner’s career, he has made his name by playing in different positions; a factor that may have led to Gareth Southgate also testing him in various roles.
Foden had his breakthrough season as a left-winger before spending the 2021/2022 season as a false nine for the most part, while in City’s treble-winning campaign, he was deployed on both flanks.
Last season, the decorated attacker was used both on the right-wing, as a natural number 10 as well as an inside forward — and yet, he won the Premier League Player of the Season award.
Considering the 24-year-old has operated at a world-class standard as a number 10, it would be best for England to view him as one as well.
Ultimately, a player also hits their ceiling in a certain role after playing out of position for a while.
But a quick peek at his career proves Stones right about Foden having impressed in a variety of positions.