If England’s Phil Foden plays well against Germany in the Euro 2020 last 16 game on Tuesday night then he’ll have himself to thank!
Foden started both of England’s opening group games, against Croatia and Scotland, before being dropped for the game against Czech Republic with the knockout stages in mind having picked up a yellow card.
He’s been in good form for club and country in recent months, helping Manchester City to win the Premier League, and the 21-year-old knows it’s all down to him.
Foden confirmed that he doesn’t actually take inspiration from anyone else but instead watches YouTube clips of himself before games, in order to boost his confidence.
“Sometimes I watch my own clips on YouTube,” the youngster told The Lions’ Den YouTube channel, “Just so I go into a game feeling confident.
“I don’t really like to watch anyone else, I want to be my own person.
Shock he’s got a ball at his feet… 😅
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The admission follows on from what the City star said about his new look ahead of the tournament, after fans compared his bleach blond look to Paul Gascoigne’s style from Euro 1996.
Foden seemed to suggest he hadn’t copied the former England star, saying, “It was my own thing and people have turned it into something else.”
In return Gazza claimed that he was better than Foden, even when drunk, so maybe they share a confidence in their own abilities if little else.
On his skills, Foden claimed he doesn’t practice gliding past players, adding, “You don’t work on it, it just becomes instinct.
“When you see a man and put it through your legs, it just comes to you.
“The best players in the world just think fast.”
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| Foden obviously does practice some skills. Image: PA Images |
With Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish impressing in his absence, Foden might have a battle on his hands to get back into Gareth Southgate’s starting XI for the game on Tuesday.
Next season he could also be competing with, or playing alongside, Grealish, with the news that City have reached an agreement for the Aston Villa captain.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/PA Images