You’ve got to hold and give
England legend John Barnes believes the Three Lions will never get the best out of Phil Foden unless they play like Manchester City.
Foden won multiple individual awards last season but underwhelmed with his performance in England’s 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday night.
With Jude Bellingham in the No.10 role, Foden has been forced to play on the left, with many questioning whether he is the best option in that role.
Barnes, who went through a similar situation with Liverpool and England, insists it is the manager’s responsibility to mould the style of play to suit the players.
“It’s like having an out-of-body experience,” Barnes told talkSPORT. “I went through something very similar.
“Sir Bobby Robson used to say to me, ‘We want you to play for England the way you play for Liverpool’.
“You know what I said to him? ‘If England played the way Liverpool do, then I would’.
“It’s the same for Foden. Whether you put Foden on the left, the middle or the right, unless England are going to play like Man City, nothing will change.
“The left-back for Man City is Josko Gvardiol. He’s not a left-footer. The way Man City play suits him.
“It doesn’t matter about using Foden, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer… unless England play the way their clubs play, it doesn’t matter. You’ll never get the best out of them
“If Jude Bellingham is going to be the No.10, the playmaker on the ball all the time, all Foden will be is a bit-part player. Work hard, defend, give the ball to Bellingham.
“Therefore, what is he doing there? It doesn’t matter what position he plays. The football, the tactics, the template of how they play, the way they move the ball… unless it’s going to be like Man City, you’ll never see the best of Foden.”
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