MANCHESTER, England — England head coach Thomas Tuchel shouldn’t need reminding of Phil Foden’s exceptional talent. However, watching Manchester City’s commanding 4-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday certainly reinforced it.
Tuchel is set to announce his latest squad on Friday for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. In that context, Foden’s two goals at the Etihad Stadium couldn’t have come at a better time. After missing the last three national team selections due to injuries, mental fatigue, and dip in form, the 25-year-old must make his case for a spot on the plane to next summer’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. His performance against Dortmund showcased precisely why he deserves to be part of the squad.
Tuchel has an impressive lineup of attacking talent to choose from, but with Foden performing like this, it’s hard to imagine he would be overlooked.
“Thomas is incredibly knowledgeable and understands exactly what the national team needs. I believe he knows Phil very well,” said City manager Pep Guardiola. “There isn’t a person in this country or anywhere in the world who isn’t aware of his quality and talent.
“England is fortunate to have a plethora of outstanding players in this position. That’s why Phil must continue pushing himself to improve, and when called up, he needs to demonstrate just how good he really is.”
This was Foden at his finest—active, dynamic, and menacing, even in congested areas. Only a select few players have the confidence to request the ball when surrounded by defenders; even fewer can transform challenging scenarios into opportunities. Foden, given a central role by Guardiola, achieved this twice against Dortmund, scoring the first UEFA Champions League brace of his career.
Guardiola mentioned that in the opening 10 minutes, his team looked lost, but everything changed once they got Foden involved.
Midway through the first half, Foden received a seemingly innocuous pass from Tijjani Reijnders. Dortmund, clad in yellow and backed by enthusiastic traveling fans, appeared organized. Yet, with just three deft touches, Foden spun, maneuvered the ball from his feet, and placed a left-footed finish into the bottom corner. It was a goal that took everyone by surprise, leaving defenders bewildered.
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Foden’s second goal may have been even more impressive. Again, he took a simple pass just outside the box and turned it into a breathtaking goal. Surrounded by three Dortmund defenders, he skillfully danced through them and found the corner of the net once more with his left foot.
Ramy Bensebaini, the Dortmund defender, was so unsure of how to contain him that he resorted to pushing Foden just as he was about to shoot. It made no difference, as Foden’s shot zipped past the outstretched hands of Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel. By the time Bensebaini regained his balance, Foden had dashed off to celebrate with the City substitutes gathered at the corner flag.
“We’ve seen this type of goal from Phil countless times over the years,” Guardiola observed. “We missed him a lot last season and even now. I believe he’ll be a huge asset for us. He knows how to score such goals, understanding that it’s not about powerful shots but about placing the ball near the post. In that regard, Phil is exceptional.”
“This season, he’s back. When Phil operates at that level, playing in between the lines, it doesn’t matter what happens. You don’t need to say much about him because he’s a special talent, but we definitely need his goals.”
Foden has made a convincing case to secure his return to the England squad. Now, the decision rests with Tuchel. Throughout his tenure, the German has emphasized the importance of the team over individuals, which contributed to his hesitation in recalling Jude Bellingham, who was also omitted from the October internationals alongside Foden.
As Tuchel strategizes for World Cup success, questions regarding how to integrate Foden, Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Harry Kane, and others into the same lineup linger. Former England coach Gareth Southgate faced similar dilemmas ahead of Euro 2024. Despite being recognized as the Premier League‘s best player shortly before, Foden largely found himself positioned on the left wing during the tournament in Germany. There’s a belief that Foden has yet to regain his top form since that time, where he entered as a key player and exited as an outsider.
The upcoming World Cup presents a vital opportunity for England to capture their first trophy in 60 years, and Foden’s standout display against Dortmund was a timely reminder to Tuchel that he belongs.