Manchester City defender John Stones has heaped massive praise on his club teammate Phil Foden, suggesting the young superstar will give Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel a serious selection headache when England faces European competition.
Stones, speaking ahead of City's crucial Champions League quarter-final clash, expressed his admiration for Foden's incredible development this season. The defender emphasized that Foden's current form makes him virtually undroppable for both club and country.
Foden's Meteoric Rise Demands Attention
Phil Foden has been nothing short of spectacular this campaign, delivering match-winning performances that have cemented his status as one of the Premier League's elite players. His technical brilliance, eye for goal, and creative vision have made him indispensable to Pep Guardiola's system at Manchester City.
"What Phil is doing this season is extraordinary," Stones told reporters. "He's playing with so much confidence and maturity. When you see him in training every day, you realize just how special he is. For any manager facing England, including Thomas Tuchel, figuring out how to handle Phil becomes a major tactical problem."
Tuchel's Tactical Dilemma
The Bayern Munich manager, who will soon face English opposition in European competition, must devise a strategy to neutralize Foden's threat. Stones believes this presents Tuchel with a significant challenge given Foden's versatility and current form.
"Phil can change a game in an instant from multiple positions," Stones continued. "He's comfortable operating through the middle, cutting in from the wings, or dropping deep to collect possession. This flexibility makes him incredibly difficult to mark and plan against."
England's Euro 2024 Prospects
With Euro 2024 approaching, Foden's emergence as a consistent performer at the highest level provides England manager Gareth Southgate with both an opportunity and a selection puzzle. Stones sees his teammate as crucial to England's chances of lifting the trophy in Germany.
"For England to succeed in major tournaments, we need players like Phil performing at their peak," Stones stated. "He brings that X-factor that can unlock the tightest defenses. I genuinely believe he's becoming one of those players who can single-handedly win games for his country."
The defender's comments highlight the growing consensus that Foden has evolved from promising talent to genuine world-class operator, capable of influencing the biggest matches on both domestic and international stages.
