Manchester City star Phil Foden has made a subtle excavation at former English manager Gareth Southgate.
Foden, who mainly played on the left wing for England with the euro, believes that he was not used effectively when he had trouble replying his club form on the international stage.
“I feel frustrated that I didn't get what I wanted,” Foden told Manchester Evening News. 'The position I was placed on the left was very difficult to influence the game.
“Last season – the best player in the Premier League and playing the midfield of the center – I feel that the position was quite difficult to get used to it.”
The 24-year-old man City star emphasized his adaptability, but suggested that England never really clicked on the tournament.
“I am someone who can play multiple positions and I had to try to tackle it as well as possible,” he added. “I don't feel that England ever started working or acted to our potential.”
England went to the final of the euros after an overwhelming start of the tournament but was defeated by Spain.
The 24-year-old also opened about feeling mental and physically exhausted at the start of the 2024-2025 campaign, which has so far been a disappointing one for the city.
After playing a crucial role in the triple season of the city, and in the club that won a fourth title in a row, Foden admitted that he had trouble returning to full intensity.
“For me, football is played with the brain, and when the brain is mentally tired, you will not see a player for who he is,” he explained.
'I am normally itching to come back, but when I returned, my body and my mental state were low.
'I have been playing since the age of five and is pushing myself every day to be the best I can. When you add all games and all the travel, it is a lot for the body. '
Foden described how fatigue led to minor injuries and frustration in training, which contributed to a slow start.
'I didn't feel 100 percent when I was training, and there were a few problems. There were times when I became frustrated. My body did not feel how used to it, and it is something I had to deal with. '
City has to beat club bridges on Wednesday to prevent an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League.
The side of Pep Guardiola is 25th in the 36 team table and need three points to guarantee the progression to the play-off round.
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