England began their Euro 2024 campaign with a win last night, although they were far from convincing during their 1-0 victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
Jude Bellingham gave Gareth Southgate's side the lead in the 13th minute, and considering that they had started the game in an impressive fashion, it was expected that they would go on to dominate the contest from that point onwards. However, that did not come to fruition.
England used that early goal as an opportunity to retreat back into their shell, going on to produce an incredibly cagey performance. They were stagnant in attack, and while Serbia were not exactly the most dangerous of opponents on the night, they were a couple of nervy moments en route to securing a nervy one-goal victory.
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Fabregas calls Out Richards' excuses for Phil Foden showing vs Serbia
While many in English football had deemed England as the favourites to win Euro 2024, this was not a performance that boded well for their prospects over the remainder of the tournament. Indeed, it was well short of the standards that have already been set by Germany and Spain.
Very few English players stood out on the night, with the possible exceptions of Jude Bellingham and Marc Guehi. Their various attacking stars did not perform in the manner that would have been expected, with Phil Foden especially blunt in the final third.
It really wasn't Phil Foden's night. 😳 pic.twitter.com/hyTRVKlCkZ
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 17, 2024
Coming off the back of a fantastic season with Manchester City, it was expected that Foden would play a starring role at the Euros. However, the way he failed to impact last night's game will be of massive concern to England fans.
The 24-year old has had a fairly underwhelming international career up to this point, often looking like the odd man out in Gareth Southgate's squad. Some of that could be down to the way in which he is being used, although his individual performances have also been poor at times.
Speaking on the BBC after the Serbia game, Micah Richards jumped to the defence of Phil Foden after his lack of impact in the game. However, Cesc Fabregas was quick to call out the excuses dished out by his fellow pundits.
Cesc Fabregas was not entertaining any Phil Foden excuses for his performance at #SERENG made by Micah Richards. pic.twitter.com/90ScICRSLM
— Kyama (@ElijahKyama_) June 16, 2024
Richards: It makes me sad when I see a player of his quality in and out of games. We need to find a way (to get him involved).
Fabregas: Yeah but Micah, I totally agree, but the same way you see Jude [Bellingham] imposing himself, wanting the ball, getting face to face with an opponent, [Foden] owes us this class. He needs to do this as well.
Richards: I totally agree with you, but Jude in the centre of the park can do that.
Fabregas: With the ball, Phil is playing in midfield?
Richards: Yeah but off the ball he's in a wide position. It's very difficult when Jude has the freedom of the pitch and Phil is having to to go from pressing out wide to coming in field, the ball isn't coming, he's playing with [Kieran] Trippier who is right footed. He needs [Luke] Shaw to play so he can get those overlaps. It's sad to see, because this season he has been immense.
We watch him at Man City every other week. The stuff he has been doing at Man City, we need to see it in an England shirt.
Fabregas: I love that you try to defend him, seriously. I get your point totally. But a player of this class, a player of this level and talent, for me sometimes he doesn't even need to be told by the coach what to do. He needs to want it more than the rest. For me today, it showed that Jude is a bit above him in this regard.
England will certainly need to get more from Phil Foden if they are to have ambitions of winning the Euros, although it seems as though Gareth Southgate is struggling to implement a system that gets the most out of the attacking talent at his disposal.
That has been a huge issue for England in recent tournaments and the signs are there that it could hold them back once again this summer.
SEE ALSO: Viewers Vent At BBC's Lovefest With Jude Bellingham During Unimpressive Serbia Win
