FourFourTwo December 2021 45level high in a game where you think ‘maybe
he’ll take it easy today’, that’s when you
know you’ve got a good player.
“When Jadon Sancho left City, he was
playing for Dortmund all the time and Phil
was sometimes on the bench. As players at
City, we’d talk to each other about whether
Phil should have done the same thing as
Jadon. Phil took every chance he got when
he was young, and it still wasn’t enough to
play sometimes.
“But when David Silva left, it was an
absolutely perfect fit for him to take that
role. Phil’s the best example of being patient
and believing in yourself, then your chance
will come. He’s City’s main player now – he’s
the star man. I watched them play against
Brighton recently and he just ran the team.
It was ridiculous.”
Foden’s Euro 2020 may not have gone
exactly how he planned – the dyed blond
hair didn’t lead to the Gazza-style impact on
the tournament he might have hoped for,
as he was denied by a post early on against
Croatia, then lost his place to Bukayo Saka
after the draw with Scotland. He’d get on the
pitch for only 25 more minutes, in extra time
against Denmark, before a foot problem
ruled him out of the final.
But the playmaker returned to prominence
with the national team this October, putting
in arguably his most dominant performance
yet for England – albeit against Andorra. Few
would be surprised if he’s a crucial part of
Southgate’s side at the 2022 World Cup.
“He’s a special player and he’s good enough
to prove it to the world at senior level now,”
says Eyoma.
Anderson is certain that Foden can repeat
his U17 feats of 2017 and have a similar
impact in Qatar. “There’s no doubt about
that,” says the City star’s former team-mate.
“This time next year, I don’t see why he
wouldn’t be one of England’s star players
and one of the first names on the teamsheet.
If he carries on the way he’s going, there’s
only one place he’s going to be – and if he
does get his chance, I think everyone would
put their money on him taking it.
“If England went on to win the senior World
Cup and he played a big part in it, five years
after we won the U17 World Cup, that would
be a nice story, wouldn’t it?”
Indeed it would, Curtis. If it happens, then
England’s rising star could be forgiven for
pointing to the back of that shirt again in
Qatar next December, reminding everyone
of those events in 2017. Phil Foden, back for
a second instalment of global domination.
Did you remember the name?09
BILLY GILMOUR
Age 20 Club Chelsea (loan at
Norwich) Nationality Scottish
Position Central midfielderTHE LOWDOWN At the centre of Scotland’s
resurgence stands their great new hope – all
5ft 7in of him. Gilmour may never be likely to
physically dominate a game, but he’s shown
signs that he might be able to dominate in
another way for Steve Clarke’s side. Brilliant
in central midfield during Scotland’s draw
with England at Euro 2020, he was superb
again when they defeated Israel in a crucial
World Cup qualifier in October, thanks to his
exquisite ball control and perennial eye for
a pass. Gilmour had been on Rangers’ books
until his 16th birthday, before being lured
south to Stamford Bridge. His first-team bow
came just after he’d turned 18, under Frank
Lampard’s tutelage. Though he lost his place
at Norwich not long after joining the Canaries
on a season-long loan this term, the esteem
with which he’s held in Scotland shows no
signs of diminishing.
THEY SAID... “He might be small in stature,
but he’s huge in personality and talent,”
declared Lampard last year.
BEST MOMENT That man of the match
performance against England, on his first
international start. Hello, world.“WHEn DAVID SILVA LEFT,
IT WAS An ABSOLUTELY
PERFECT FIT FOR FODEn
TO TAKE On THAT ROLE”
22 FOR
2022