Wayne Rooney seems to be a huge admirer of Phil Foden.
Rooney admitted that at his age, he was not as mature with the ball at his feet as Foden is.
In May, the retired striker also vouched for the Manchester City midfielder to start as England’s number 10 at Euro 2024.
Wayne Rooney has been proven right about his prediction about Foden being deployed as a left-winger in Germany.
Wayne Rooney makes Phil Foden suggestion ahead of England vs Slovenia
It has been reported that the 24-year-old is expected to start against Slovenia.
So far, the decision to field Jude Bellingham as the Three Lions’ number 10 has yielded mixed results.
Wayne Rooney, however, has stuck to his guns about Foden playing as an attacking midfielder for England, as he would start him in his natural position against Slovenia on Tuesday.
Rooney told BBC Sport: “I’d like to see Anthony Gordon come into the team. For me, I’d play [Jordan] Pickford in goal, Kyle Walker, [Marc] Guehi, John Stones, and [Kieran] Trippier.”
“I’d play Anthony Gordon off the left, [Bukayo] Saka off the right, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in the middle, Phil Foden as the number 10 and Harry Kane up top.”
Wayne Rooney has explained why Foden and Bellingham are struggling to flourish in the same team.
“I think at the minute, what’s happening is Phil and Jude are almost occupying that position and it’s difficult for them to find space in there. So, I think dropping Jude back a little bit and giving Phil Foden the space to roam, really and having Anthony Gordon and Saka to keep the width, for me, will make a big difference.”
If Gareth Southgate sets up like Wayne Rooney, Phil Foden could thrive
If England boss Gareth Southgate were to set up like Wayne Rooney has against Slovenia, Foden could thrive.
As Rooney suggested, Manchester City’s number 47 would have a lot more room to operate centrally if Bellingham was tasked to sit deeper.
So far, both the silky technician and the Real Madrid midfielder are occupying similar zones — with the latter accustomed to playing off the left-hand side for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as well.
Additionally, Foden would also have more runners to feed in such a set-up — with Anthony Gordon being a brilliant outlet and Jude Bellingham renowned for arriving late into the box from deep.
Against Denmark, the six-time Premier League winner was dovetailing well with Bukayo Saka.
However, due to being stationed out on the left-wing, Foden was seemingly not given the license to take up those spaces more often.
As a lone number 10, the Stockport-born midfielder would have a lot more freedom to weave his magic against Slovenia.