Phil Foden Assessed With Cristiano Ronaldo Comparison as Gareth Southgate Urged to Make Tough Decision Ahead of Switzerland Clash

Eight teams are left in the UEFA Euro 2024, yet England remains in the spotlight. The Three Lions managed to squeeze past the Round of 16 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Slovenia. As they gear up for the quarter-final stage against Switzerland, Gareth Southgate is urged to make tough calls regarding Phil Foden’s place in the starting XI. However, Chelsea legend Craig Burley would rather see Bukayo Saka getting axed as he compared Foden’s role to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The assertion was made in the latest episode of ESPN FC Extra Time. A netizen raised a question that prompted a debate on whether Southgate should leave out Foden. Interestingly, Craig replied, “It’s a bit of a Ronaldo scenario. You might have to do it during the game. I don’t think he [Southgate] will. I don’t think he should. To be honest, if you give me the choice of dropping any player, I’d play Foden on the right and drop Saka.”

Notably, fellow pundit Frank Leboeuf also agreed with Craig but added a twist that this similar question should be asked for Bukayo Saka as well. Instead, the Frenchman advised Southgate to retain Foden on the left wing and replace Saka with Cole Palmer in the starting XI. “Palmer has proved every time he came on that he had an influence and Saka hasn’t proved that has he been good enough so maybe, time to change,” said Leboeuf.

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Poll of the dayShould Gareth Southgate start Phil Foden in the next match against Switzerland?

Only if someone is injured

Adding another twist, Craig suggested England let Bellingham take the hybrid role. This way, Palmer takes the Real Madrid star’s place, Foden remains on the left, and either Anthony Gordon or Eberechi Eze could be put in instead. Regardless, whatever Southgate decides, it’s advisable to lower the expectations regarding Foden.

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England fans advised not to carry ‘unrealistic’ expectations regarding Phil Foden in the UEFA Euro 2024Former England star Chris Waddle isn’t impressed with fans urging Garth Southgate to drop Phil Foden from the squad. He argues that it’s unfair to place such high expectations on Foden, especially expecting him to imitate his Manchester City performances. “Everyone expects Phil to replicate what he does at club level, but that was always going to be unrealistic,” said Waddle.

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Waddle points out that, unlike in the national team, Foden is surrounded by exceptional players at City, such as Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Bernardo Silva. He has developed remarkable chemistry and movement with them, something that can’t be achieved in just a few weeks with the national team.

While this support strengthens Foden’s position, it remains to be seen if he can regain his form before the crucial match.