Phil Foden’s Struggles at Euro 2024 Raise Concerns Despite England’s Winning Start

England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a hard-fought victory over Serbia, but the spotlight quickly turned to the struggles of midfielder Phil Foden, echoing a familiar narrative from past tournaments.

Foden, who had been touted as a player to watch at the current European Championship following a stellar season with Manchester City, found himself under scrutiny yet again – a scenario reminiscent of England’s previous Euros clash against Croatia.

Back in 2021, Foden’s performance drew attention after an underwhelming display in the win over Croatia, where he had been expected to shine. Despite his impressive form at City, the midfielder failed to replicate his club success on the international stage, leaving fans and pundits questioning the disparity.

Gareth Southgate‘s decision to substitute Foden early in both the Croatia game from 2021 and the recent Serbia match has raised eyebrows, with some pointing fingers at the England manager for not maximizing the midfielder’s potential.

The comparison between Foden’s impact under Southgate and his consistent performances under City boss Pep Guardiola has further fueled debate on the handling of the young talent within the national team setup.

As England gear up to face Denmark, Southgate has reiterated his trust in Foden and fellow teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite criticisms surrounding their recent displays. The upcoming match presents another opportunity for Foden to silence his critics and deliver a standout performance on the Euro 2024 stage.

With the spotlight firmly on Foden’s struggles, the midfielder faces a pivotal moment in his international career as England aim to navigate through the tournament and live up to the high expectations placed upon them in their quest for European glory.