Rio Ferdinand sends Phil Foden England plea to Gareth Southgate after Man City masterclass

Rio Ferdinand has insisted Gareth Southgate should take note of Phil Foden’s impact at center ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.

Foden was in breathtaking form on Wednesday night as his hat-trick helped Aston Villa 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium to put City in contention for the Premier League title.

As well as scoring his first ever direct free kick, his second half brace helped him reach over 20 goals in a season for the first time, which saw him join an illustrious side, in his career and has was helped by the fact that he was playing more centrally than usual.

In England’s recent friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Southgate pushed Foden on both flanks, but the 23-year-old was unable to light up the stage like he does at the Etihad.

And after Foden’s superb performance against Villa, former Manchester United star Ferdinand told the England boss to sit back and watch the attacking midfielder pull the strings from a central position.

Speaking to Laura Woods for TNT Sports after City’s 4-1 win, he said: “One thing I would say about him is why he’s still out there doing what he does, he doesn’t It’s never too high or too low.

“He’s very balanced in his approach to certain situations and even in the game and I would say also outside the game, off the field, I don’t think he’s ever too intimidated by situations. He doesn’t see too much situations. big for him.

“Those actions (against Aston Villa) and we’re sitting here saying: ‘for the England team, surely he has to play centrally?’

“It’s the common debate at the moment: where do you play Phil Foden to get the best out of him?

“These actions here tell you everything you need to know. Pass these clips to Gareth and say, ‘who else is doing this?'”

England fans are wondering who the country’s best XI is ahead of this summer’s European Championship, with the Three Lions kicking off their competition on June 16.

Debate rages over whether Jude Bellingham should start in a more advanced role and who will be deployed on the flanks.

But Foden insisted he was happy to play as long as he was in an attacking role, saying on Wednesday night: “I consider myself a very technical player in the pockets.

“On the outside, I think I can do that job, but I think I prefer to do it in the middle. This year I’m progressing in the game.

“The manager talked about showing pace and slowing down the game, so I think I added that to my game as well.

“Before, I went very fast, I attacked every action. I think now I have found the right balance.

“I always try to get into the box, that’s where the goals are. You score at least five a season by getting into the box late.

“I have worked on all aspects of my game in midfield, but as I said, I still have a lot to improve and I continue to improve in this position.”