England defender Kyle Walker has jumped to the defence of Phil Foden after he was criticised by former Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fabregas. Foden struggled to have much of an impact against Serbia as England secured victory in spite of an underwhelming display, with Jude Bellingham scoring the game’s only goal.
Before the Euros, there was plenty of talk about Foden potentially being England’s key player due to his exceptional form at Manchester City. He helped Pep Guardiola’s side to win their fourth successive Premier League title, chipping in with 19 goals and eight assists in England’s top flight.
Foden struggled to carve out opportunities and find his usual space against Serbia, prompting Fabregas to suggest that he could benefit from taking a leaf from Jude Bellingham’s book.
Speaking in his role as a pundit on BBC Sport, Fabregas said: “The same way that you see Jude imposing himself, wanting the ball, getting face to face against an opponent. He oozes this class. [Foden] needs to do that himself as well.”
Walker, however, believes the scrutiny of Foden is a consequence of the elevated standards he is being held to as a result of his exploits for City.
“I don’t think one game defines a player,” said Walker in a press conference on Wednesday. “It’s a season or a tournament that defines a player. Especially with Phil coming off the back of the season he had, I don’t think one 90 minutes should be scrutinised as much as I’m being told it is.
“Phil is a great character. I wouldn’t say he’s had a difficult path to get here as he’s won a lot of trophies at Manchester City, but he’s had to be patient. This is just another little thing he has to overcome when there is so much pressure on him now after such a great season.”
Foden is set to reprise his role on the left flank when England face Denmark on Thursday evening. Gareth Southgate is expected to name an unchanged side and is seemingly ready to persist with playing Foden out wide, with Bellingham set to be deployed through the middle.
Southgate also spoke highly of Foden in Wednesday’s press conference, saying: “I thought Phil did an incredible job for the team on Sunday. Sometimes the bits with the ball are obvious and they catch the eye, but the amount of ground he covered, the angles of pressing, the filling in for people who were further forward.
“I thought without Phil’s contribution without the ball, and I know that’s not the sexy bit and everybody wants to see him on the ball, I don’t think we win the game.”