Remember me, Pep?
Man City youngster Foden scores twice in England victory,
Phil Foden carried on letting his football do the talking, as he answered Pep Guardiola’s criticisms with both goals and an influential display for England Under-21s.
Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, has complained that Foden is a “shy guy” and shows the Spaniard unnecessary respect, rather than pushing himself forward for selection at club level.
However quiet Foden is off the pitch, he has a habit of making his presence felt on it. Aidy Boothroyd, the England manager, argued that Foden can be even better than what he showed here – and more game time for the Under 21s can help elevate him.
“He’s probably not played as well as he can. The more he plays for us, hopefully it can be a showcase for his club,” Boothroyd said. He may not have his playmaker’s services for long, if senior manager Gareth Southgate is sufficiently impressed.
England looked threatening, albeit lacking a cutting edge at times. Others to enhance their reputations were Everton’s Tom Davies and Marc Guehi, of Chelsea.
Kosovo were testing opposition, and created moments of danger. Arbnor Muja missed a sitter for the visitors, hitting the bar from three yards, just before half-time. This result, though, meant England have started their Euro qualification campaign with successive wins.
Les Reed, the Football Association’s technical director, had accused the Under-21s of being “overconfident” during a disappointing European Championship this summer, so this new-look group’s attitude needs to be better – and they looked sound here.
A downside was Max Aarons going off late on. The Norwich fullback left the ground on crutches, but looked upbeat and the brace on his left leg was understood to be precautionary.
England were patient early on and broke through when Foden swiped the ball home from close range after neat build-up play. The Young Lions kept looking the better side but, having not taken their chances, left themselves vulnerable. The issue was settled when Foden struck again from 10 yards. England U21 (3-5-2) Ramsdale (Bournemouth); Guehi (Chelsea), Chalobah (Huddersfield), Godfrey (Norwich); Aarons (Norwich), Gibbs-white (Wolves), Davies (Everton), Foden (Manchester City), S Sessegnon (Fulham); Nketiah (Leeds), Nelson (Arsenal). Subs Cantwell (Norwich) for Gibbs-white 61, Greenwood (Manchester United) for Nelson 61, Brewster (Liverpool) for Nketiah 76, Justin (Leicester) for Aarons 80. Booked Godfrey.
Kosovo U21 (3-5-2) Smakiqi; Kolgeci, Xhemajli, Mema (Muja 34); Kastrati, Abedini, Hajrizi, Zekaj, Gashi (Baftiu 65); Daku (Mustafa 46), Kastrati. Booked Xhemajli, Mustafa.
Referee Kristoffer Karlsson (Sweden).