Fans Urge Tuchel to Unleash Foden in Central Role After Dazzling Training Display
Published 19:50 20 Mar 2025 GMT
England supporters are passionately calling for manager Thomas Tuchel to deploy a key player in his ‘correct position’ following the emergence of captivating training footage.
Tuchel is set to take the reins for his inaugural match as the Three Lions boss this Friday, as England welcomes Albania to Wembley Stadium for a crucial World Cup qualifying fixture.
The anticipation surrounding the German manager’s first starting XI is palpable, reaching levels rarely seen in recent times. This heightened interest follows his announcement of a 26-man squad for the upcoming encounters against Albania and Latvia.
The squad blends experience with fresh talent. Familiar faces are present, with veterans like Jordan Henderson returning to inject seasoned leadership into the team.
In contrast, a wave of promising youngsters including Myles Lewis-Skelly, Morgan Rogers, and Tino Livramento are eager to potentially earn their first senior England caps, marking the start of what they hope will be long and successful international careers.
However, a significant portion of the pre-match discussion revolves around Manchester City maestro Phil Foden.
The gifted attacking midfielder has struggled to consistently replicate his club form for England. Under previous management, Gareth Southgate frequently opted to position Foden on the left flank of the attack.
Foden’s versatility has seen him utilised in various roles for the national team, including on the right wing, in a slightly withdrawn midfield capacity, and occasionally in his favoured number 10 role.
Now, after observing recent training footage showcasing the City star’s exceptional skills, fans are emphatically urging Tuchel to finally position Foden in what they firmly believe is his ‘correct’ and most effective position, should he be selected to start on Friday.
The training clip circulating online highlights Foden engaging in a skilled keepie-uppie session with fellow midfielder Eberechi Eze. The segment progresses to demonstrate their impressive volley passing accuracy over distance. The footage culminates with Foden executing a sublime, curled shot that nestles perfectly into the bottom corner of the net.
Fan reactions to the TikTok clip have been overwhelmingly supportive of seeing Foden in a central, attacking role, and can be summarised as follows:
- Demand for Central Role: “Just play Foden in his correct position.” – This sentiment is echoed across numerous comments, emphasising the belief that Foden’s best position is centrally.
- Technical Brilliance Acknowledged: “Foden is just too technical.” – Fans recognise and appreciate Foden’s exceptional technical abilities showcased in the training footage.
- Underrated Star Power: “Foden is underrated, one season can’t change the fact he is a star.” – Supporters argue that Foden’s overall talent may be overlooked and a period of fluctuating form shouldn’t diminish his established quality.
- Brazilian Flair Comparison: “Foden and Eze are playing like they’re Brazilian.” – The skill and flair displayed by Foden and Eze in the training drill are likened to the artistry often associated with Brazilian footballers.
- Potential in Top Teams: “Put Foden in that Spain team and you will see a serious player.” – This comment suggests that in a team with a possession-based, technically focused style of play like Spain, Foden’s attributes would truly flourish, unlocking his full potential.
Will Thomas Tuchel heed the fans’ calls? Football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await Friday’s match to discover if Foden will be unleashed in his preferred central attacking midfield role, and if this positional change can unlock his best performances for England.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, England, Fan Reactions
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