Football

World Cup 2022: England youngster says he has ‘every chance’ of starting against Senegal

World Cup 2022: England youngster says he has ‘every chance’ of starting against Senegal

England attacker Phil Foden says he has ‘every chance’ of starting the last 16 meeting with Senegal on Sunday.

The Manchester City youngster played just 20 minutes off the bench against Iran, and was left on the bench for the entire match against the USA.

Finally given a start by Gareth Southgate against Wales in the final group game, Foden played all 90 minutes and scored in the 3-0 win.

England younger has ‘every chance’ of starting

The forward is fully aware of the competition for places in the England attack, particularly given that the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are in fine form.

But the Man City man believes he has ‘every chance’ of getting the nod from the start in Sunday’s Round of 16 encounter.

“I had seen a lot of media attention towards me to start, it is hard to get away from that,” said Foden, as reported by BBC Sport.

“There is a lot of competition. Saka has done well and scored in the first game, Rashford has scored and did very well against Wales. Everyone is scoring and everyone has proved a point so it will be a headache for Gareth to pick the team for the next game.

“Scoring against Wales was definitely up there for one of the best feelings in my career so far, a special moment. I think I have every chance to start the next match. I played well against Wales but we will have to see what happens.”

Foden ‘disappointed’ not to start more games

Despite a fine season for both club and country so far, Foden has largely been overlooked by England manager Southgate in Qatar. The attacker has nine goals and two assists in his 22 matches for Man City and England this season.

Foden has revealed his disappointment at not getting more starts, but has reiterated his commitment to the team at the World Cup.

“It has been up and down,” said Foden. “I am disappointed not to start more games but it is part of the tournament. I am a team player and when I get the opportunities I’ll take them.”

England

England attack looking lively

England’s forwards have been in fine form at the 2022 World Cup. Captain Harry Kane is one of the only Three Lions attackers not to find the back of the net in Qatar so far.

Rashford has three goals, with Saka on two. Foden, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling have all scored once in the tournament.
Striker Callum Wilson is yet to get on the scoresheet. Kane does, however, have three assists to his name.

England in general were the joint-top scorers in the group stages, level with Spain on nine goals. Amid the fine form, Southgate is preparing for a difficult meeting with Senegal.

The African side finished second in Group A with two wins and one loss from their three matches, with that defeat coming to group winners the Netherlands.

“They are playing with confidence, they are African champions,” said Southgate.

“They are well organised and they have good individual players. They have speed on the transitions, not a dissimilar test from the USA. I think it will be that sort of athleticism we will face, definitely.”


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