Phil Foden told he must copy Wayne Rooney to avoid becoming England flop

19 June 2024 , 12:06

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Phil Foden has been told to copy Wayne Rooney in order to become undroppable for England (Image: Eddie Keogh/The FA)

Phil Foden should take a leaf out of Wayne Rooney's book to become undroppable for England, according to Wes Brown.

Foden, the Premier League player of the season, failed to live up to his Manchester City form when the Three Lions got their Euro 2024 campaign underway with a cagey 1-0 win over Serbia. He was moved from his favoured No.10 position onto the left wing - with Jude Bellingham taking up the central playmaking role.

And for Thursday’s clash with Denmark, former England defender Brown wants to see the 24-year-old change his game so he can work with Bellingham - just as Rooney had to do in his partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United.

Speaking on Reach's new Euro Thrash podcast - which you can find on YouTube, Apple and Spotify - Brown said: "We all know Foden has had a fantastic season but regardless of where he plays, he has to get into the game more.

"He will take a bit more responsibility because we all know how good he is on the ball, but he didn't quite get into the game. He has been used to playing in a different position for City this season, and it showed, but that is Jude Bellingham's position and you can't take Jude out of there.

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"I'll give you a good example: Wayne Rooney, absolutely fantastic, wants the ball all the time, but when he was playing with Cristiano Ronaldo, when he was in his mood and you knew he was the guy, Wayne would start dropping back a little and start to assist him.

"Sometimes players have to be intelligent enough to do that. We know what a special player Foden can be, but Jude is special too, those are the two players that can produce in big games.

"Jude demands the ball and he just wants to get things going. Phil's got to go 'Okay, Jude's doing that bit now, so can I find the positions I have been finding all season for Manchester City?'

"Find that space off the back line, just those four or five yards where he can get his first touches that will cement that panic in the defenders."

Watch and listen to Euro Thrash on, Apple Podcasts and Spotify with regular new episodes throughout Euro 2024

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Aaron Flanagan