PHIL HAZZA GAZZA AT THE BARBER’S

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GOODBYE the Stockport Iniesta, hello the Stockport Gazza.

Phil Foden wants to bring more than just a Paul Gascoigne hairstyle to Euro 2020.

The Manchester City youngster conjured up eve-of-tournament memories of England’s most famous maverick by going blond (below) before the Three Lions’ opening game against Croatia.

Foden, 21, was not born when Gazza sparkled at Euro ’96, but has seen plenty of him to be inspired. “I remember watching highlights on the TV of Gazza,” said Foden.

“He was an unbelievable player. The nation knows what he means to the country and what he did, so it wouldn’t be too bad if I tried to bring a bit of Gazza to the pitch.”

And does he think the expectation will only be cranked up now people are calling him the Stockport Gazza? “No, I don’t mind that,” he smiled. “He was a great player. I don’t mind that at all.”

And Foden is convinced he can go further than Gascoigne and help England lift their first major trophy in over half a century.

He went on: “We are all feeling dead confident. Me, Mason Mount, Reece James and Raheem Sterling have all been in a Champions League final. We have all played at a great standard this year so I believe, as a group, we can push on to win it.”

Foden is widely acknowledged to be a player who will be key to England’s Euro fortunes, yet it was less than a year ago when he was sent home from Reykjavik in disgrace after breaking Covid rules with Mason Greenwood and two Icelandic models.

He said: “I made a massive mistake, but Gareth Southgate said if I keep just doing well, I should get another opportunity. “So I had to work hard for it and there are not many managers who would give you another chance, so I have to thank Gareth a lot.”

And if he gets a little restless in his hotel this time around, Foden has found something else to occupy his time. He said: “When I was last with England, they gave us the Euro sticker collection to complete. So I had that in my room when I was bored. It was something to do and I still do it.”

And if Foden can reproduce THAT Gazza goal (top) – the flick and the finish against the Scots at Euro ’96 – he will be THE prize sticker in every England supporter’s Panini collection.

“I know which one you are on about – the one where he flicked it over his head and scored,” said Foden. “I just feel really lucky to be here now and put the shirt on.”