FODEN FOR ENGLAND
GARETH SOUTHGATE is giving serious consideration to handing Phil Foden a first england call-up this month. The teenager shone in front of england assistant steve Holland at Wembley as Manchester City won the Carabao Cup for a third straight year on sunday, being named man of the match. southgate, who opted to watch everton’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United instead, has been considering including Foden for some time. A lack of regular starts for City has hampered Foden’s chances but england may find it hard to ignore their Under 21 star’s encouraging progression. The Three Lions face Italy and Denmark in home friendlies over the next international break and Foden could yet become a wildcard option for the european Championship. ‘I want to be there obviously but
it’s very difficult with the players we have,’ Foden said. ‘Hopefully Gareth was watching the final and saw things that he liked. That is all I can do, just show what I can do every time I play and see where it takes me. ‘We haven’t spoken much, but Gareth has said that he is keeping a close eye on me.’ City boss Pep Guardiola is likely to give Foden an 11th start of the season when City face sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup tomorrow night. The 19-year-old has waited patiently for opportunities, with Guardiola criticised for his handling of the prodigious teenager. ‘I was getting quite frustrated but as a few months went on, I started getting the hang of it,’ added Foden. ‘That’s when I felt comfortable and like I belonged there.’