Phil Foden set for first England call-up

 

Phil Foden is set to land his first senior England call-up for friendlies against Denmark and Italy later this month, reports The Daily Telegraph.

 

The 19-year-old was a surprise starter in City's Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa on Sunday but vindicated his place with the WhoScored Man of the Match award.

 

England manager Gareth Southgate choose to watch Everton's 1-1 draw with Manchester United but sent assistant Steve Holland to Wembley to keep an eye on the likes of Foden and Raheem Sterling.

 

Holland would have been no doubt impressed by Foden's display and the teenager appears to have good chance of making the England squad for Euro 2020.

 

Southgate is expected to use England's friendlies at the end of the month to give some new faces the chance to impress ahead of this summer's major tournament.

 

Jack Grealish is hopeful of earning his senior England call-up but Foden's performance overshadowed the Aston Villa captain.

 

 

Foden has only started 10 games in all competitions for City this season and Pep Guardiola's handling of the midfielder has often been criticised.

 

The teen is regarded as an obvious long-term replacement for David Silva at City but has struggled to get regular playing time since his breakthrough in the 2017/18 campaign.

 

Despite only starting two games in the Champions League this season, only Lionel Messi (7) has created more clear-cut chances than Foden (6) in the competition.