Phil Foden must improve for England's World Cup chances

Phil Foden is a talented player for Manchester City, but his performances for England have been inconsistent. Despite scoring 27 goals in the previous season, he struggled to make an impact during the Euro 2024 tournament, aside from one standout game against the Netherlands in the semi-finals. Foden’s playing style can be impressive, as shown in the semi-final where he helped create a goal and nearly scored himself. However, his overall contributions have often left fans disappointed. After the tournament, he did not participate in some matches due to injuries and has had limited appearances under interim coach Lee Carsley. With the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, new coach Thomas Tuchel faces the challenge of finding the right role for Foden on the team. There are questions about whether to use him on the wings or in a more central position. Many agree that Foden has not consistently performed at the international level, which could affect his chances of being a starter in the World Cup next year. Historically, Foden has struggled to match his club success with England. Critics argue he needs to show more effectiveness and commitment during matches. If he can impress in the qualifiers, he may improve his standing with Tuchel and secure a more significant role moving forward.