‘Stay put Foden, for England’
Man City v Fulham FA Cup 4th round, 1pm (BBC 1)
FULHAM boss Scott Parker reckons Phil Foden is in the perfect place to blossom into the world-class playmaker England craves.
Some argue the Manchester City teenager needs to leave the Etihad because of a lack of regular first-team action under Pep Guardiola.
But ahead of Fulham’s FA Cup trip to face Pep’s holders today, Parker (above) declared Foden – who is likely to start the tie – should stay put and continue receiving the best football education going.
Parker knows exactly what is like to be hailed the next big thing.
He was just 12 – and part of Charlton’s youth ranks – when he starred in a Mcdonald’s TV advert, which featured his remarkable ball-juggling skills and catapulted him into the public spotlight.
Yet, despite a career that saw spells with Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham, the 2011 FWA Player of the Year never quite fulfilled those expectations of him as a kid. However, the Craven Cottage boss does not anticipate Foden, 19, falling short.
Parker said: “He’s a fantastic player. He’s not really a prospect anymore – because he plays like he’s a lot older.
“Foden has all the tools. He is around the best coach and best players every day. Only if he feels he’s stopped improving would he think about moving.”
Parker is tipping Foden to wrack up Three Lion appearances – once Gareth Southgate promotes him from the Under-21s.
That first call up cannot be far away, according to Parker, especially with the country crying out for a number ten capable of unlocking defences with one killer pass.