“You can’t start a fire without a spark,” the English fans here in Cologne roared to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s classic Dancing In The Dark, as they expressed their appreciation for the freakish talent of Phil Foden.
It’s the chant that has taken Euro 2024 by storm. The problem is: Foden isn’t really in charge here in Germany.
Another Springsteen song: Darkness On The Edge Of Town might better describe his impact so far.
Three games later, we’re still waiting for it to completely catch fire, though Tuesday night finally offered some encouragement.
He set up Bukayo Saka’s disallowed goal in the first half after narrowly straying offside, while his influence and impact was far greater than in the previous two matches.
Phil Foden put in a better performance against Slovenia and should be given more opportunities to become England’s playmaker
He came into life at times but is still not at his best on the left wing
Foden set up Saka after a nice team move, but was just offside in the build-up to the goal
Gareth Southgate should seriously consider giving Foden a central role
Foden made things happen in the way we have all become accustomed to. Still not at the level he should be, but his performance here was much improved.
We hold Foden to a higher standard than others in this England team.
We know what he is capable of. Foden, the Premier League and Football Writers Association player of the year, should not be on the fringes of this tournament. He should be in the spotlight. Center stage.
Not relegated to the left, but only moved to the centre of the field when tactical nuances allow it.
Move him to England’s central attacking position, to the area where Foden was ‘Born To Run’.
The solution seems pretty clear: move Jude Bellingham into central midfield alongside Declan Rice and release Foden at number 10 because this kid is too good to be on the ‘Edge Of Town’.
Foden’s best work here against the stubborn Slovenians was when he was allowed to wander in.
His mere presence on the field creates space for others, while opposing defenders constantly target him.
But for some reason Southgate seems reluctant to move him inside. Even when the decision was made to replace Conor Gallagher at half-time, the Chelsea midfielder was replaced by rookie Kobbie Mainoo.
The obvious solution to England’s problems seems to be to push Jude Bellingham (left) deeper, with Foden given the number ten role
Conor Gallagher failed in his audition to play in central midfield for the rest of the tournament as he was taken off the pitch at half-time
The nation is clamoring for Foden to become England’s go-between. It seems Southgate isn’t entirely convinced.
Ahead of the knockout rounds, Southgate’s biggest dilemma is how to unlock the very best version of Foden.
As we approach the next general election, it is perhaps ironic that England’s left is once again under scrutiny.
The fact that Kieran Trippier, who plays as a left-back, is naturally right-footed does not lend itself to Foden receiving the ball conventionally on England’s left.
There have even been calls for Anthony Gordon to start here ahead of Foden. There is logic in that idea: Gordon plays there for Newcastle, where Trippier is a teammate. But it doesn’t make sense not to have Foden in this team. Southgate must find a way to play to his strengths
There are certain extenuating circumstances as to why Foden has not reached the heights we had hoped for.
For starters, he doesn’t have the blistering pace of Erling Haaland to strike with his agility, but he does have lethal through balls.
Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva have not been able to find him easily. He doesn’t have the strength of Josko Gvardiol to reassure him.
Because Kieran Trippier (right) is naturally right-footed, England have had no width on the left
Luke Shaw could have made a difference, but he is still sidelined as he recovers from injury, and England must find another solution
Who knows, if England had had a fit Luke Shaw available here in Germany, England’s left side might not have looked as limited as it has so far.
But it doesn’t look like Shaw will play a major role in this tournament, so Southgate needs an alternative solution to why his team’s left side isn’t functioning properly.
But whatever problems England have to solve here ahead of the round of 16, Foden must be part of the answer.