Denmark and England (11pm June 20): Where to find Foden?

England are a team that is not perfect. Firstly, they have always played two different halves at recent major tournaments. And secondly, despite their progress and achievements, there has always been a question mark over Gareth Southgate’s ability to harness the potential of his young talent.

Foden out of sync

First, the Three Lions won their opening match of EURO 2024, as they have done in the 54-year-old's last three major tournaments. That should not be overlooked, or taken for granted.

Second, Bellingham did what he was expected to do, which was to decide the fate of the match and become the main character of the "Three Lions". People have talked a lot about the influence and importance of the number 10.

And we need not spend much more time on England's best and most important player, except to note that Southgate will hope he continues on the path he started.

But more than anything, the problem has been Phil Foden's role in Gareth Southgate's system, with Jude Bellingham excelling while the Premier League's best player has struggled to make a positive impact.

After his best ever season with Manchester City, where the 24-year-old scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions, hopes were high that Foden would carry his club form into EURO 2024.

But the man who plays as the orchestrator of the Man City attack cannot keep up with the rhythm of his England teammates. There is a clear difference between Foden's playing position at Man City and the "Three Lions".

Certainly, the No. 11 is not playing as a No. 10, Pep Guardiola has turned him into a completely different player, more classy, ​​more effective and more impactful in the team's play. He won't be there as long as Bellingham keeps up this form.

But even when playing behind Harry Kane, as Southgate has done in friendlies, the 24-year-old has struggled. More often than not, he has been stuck on the left, despite Southgate encouraging him to move inside, find space and influence the game. Foden failed to do that against Serbia. And Phil Foden is becoming a real problem for the 54-year-old. He has never even been considered for his preferred right wing.

Southgate's solution

"Jude Bellingham came in and his body language said give me the ball or I'll go crazy. That's Bellingham's attitude. Phil Foden saw that but his character is not like that, and Foden is allowing someone else to replace him to lead the team," former centre-back Rio Ferdinand commented after the match.

Man City are set up systematically by Pep and the movement of each player like Foden is incredibly logical and precise. As a star, Foden must be adaptable and able to make an impact on the pitch from any position.

The best part of being a number 11 is receiving the ball with his back turned in tight spaces, or combining one-twos with the satellites around him, finding space and creating a breakthrough with a shot from outside the box or a deadly pass.

But when forced to take on the left, a style more suited to Anthony Gordon, Foden is not the right man for the job. Against Serbia, the No.11 struggled to link up with Kieran Trippier, preferring instead to drift into a more central position and often leaving the flanks unoccupied. Here, he was pushed out by Bellingham’s range and had little impact on the game.

Against Denmark, Southgate has a decision to make: drop Foden from the starting line-up to give Gordon or Eberechi Eze a chance, or keep the No. 11 and find a way to let him shine. It will be a choice worth making for everyone.

But Foden has emerged as a world-class talent in recent years and there is no reason why he cannot have the same impact in England as he has for Man City. Southgate will no doubt be looking closely at the Serbia game and finding ways to improve the Three Lions and get the most out of Foden.

It would seem more appropriate if the 24-year-old striker is given another chance to prove his worth and show why he can be a difference-maker in the latter stages of the tournament.