I’m not world class yet... but I’ll get there
CONFIDENT FODEN KEEPING HIS FEET ON THE GROUND
PHIL FODEN says that he is no Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe or Cristiano Ronaldo.
But he is confident that he can be and is looking forward to reaching their standard – even if it means he might have to curtail his trips to the Trafford Centre.
Foden, 22, is a bag full of contradictions. A 40-year-old head on the shoulders of a boy wonder. An iconic figure with his feet very much on the floor.
One of the world’s most expansive, expressive and occasionally flamboyant footballers, with the shy, softly-spoken demeanour of a natural introvert.
He joked that the players here have not asked him about his central role in winning the under-17 World Cup five years ago.
“I don’t think they realise!” he said. “I’m going to have to tell them that I’ve already won the World Cup, aren’t I?”
If Foden is reluctant to blow his own trumpet, there is a whole brass section ready to give him the appropriate fanfare.
He has been mentioned ahead of this tournament alongside the biggest names in the game but Foden is not convinced he is there yet.
He said: “Messi, Mbappe, Ronaldo – they are way above me at the moment, but I like to think I could be there one day.
“I’ve got to score in big games and finals to be world class, but I know I’m capable of doing that so it’s something I strive for and look forward to.”
Many feel the width of a post stopped him from taking that final step the summer before last at Euro 2020.
The tournament ended with promise but no goals, an uncharacteristic booking and an untimely injury after an early shot against Croatia hit the post.
He said: “The first game was tight and I thought I did OK. In the Scotland game I was one of our best players. If that shot had gone in, it could have been a different tournament for me.
“When you score, your confidence goes through the roof and you feel like you can do anything.”
Instead, it was Foden’s blond hairstyle that grabbed the attention.
He said: “It was unbelievable to see everybody doing it.
“My phone was going off daily with, ‘This kid’s got the haircut!’ It was quite surreal to see how many people did it.
“I am just going to stick with what I have got this time.”
Even with a more conservative look, Foden can still head out into public places without being swamped by fans – something those big three names can only dream of. He said: “I go all the time to the Trafford Centre. Obviously I get pestered a bit but that’s my own fault for going, I suppose. “I like to think that people like me, not hate me.”
But Foden already knows how winning big trophies tends to change things. “Winning that Under-17 World Cup changed some of our lives forever,” he said. “How much we got talked about in the media and things. “It’s all about gaining experience for when it comes into big games like this, you know how to handle situations. “It’s just about learning and taking it into men’s football.” And, boy, does he seem ready to become the man.
I’ve got to score in big games to be world class