Joleon Lescott on why Phil Foden struggles to carry out for England

Joleon Lescott has weighed in on the debate as to why Phil Foden struggles to replicate his Premier League form in an England shirt.

The Manchester City midfielder is one of the Three Lions’ most gifted players. His eye-catching dribbling skills, as well as his knack for a goal, have made him a stalwart for Pep Guardiola‘s all-conquering side.

Indeed, since making his debut at the Etihad Stadium in 2017, Foden has lifted the Premier League six times, the FA Cup twice and the Champions League last year.

His performances for the national side have, however, failed to match those in a sky blue shirt, much to the frustration of England fans across the country.

According to Lescott, speaking to the Filthy Fellas Podcast, it is not about inserting Foden in the same position as at City but making sure he gets in the same ‘areas’. 

Joleon Lescott has weighed in on the debate as to why Phil Foden struggles to replicate his Premier League form in an England shirt

Since making his debut at the Etihad Stadium in 2017, Foden has lifted the Premier League six times, the FA Cup twice and the Champions League last year

According to Lescott, it is not about inserting Foden in the same position as at City but making sure he gets in the same ‘areas’

Chief among the former England centre-back’s reasoning is the belief that the 24-year-old’s position under Guardiola ‘does not exist for a lot of teams’, including the Three Lions.

He said: ‘It’s not a position it’s just getting players into areas where they can affect the game.’

Lescott, who is part of Carsley’s coaching team, added that the manager could learn from the way he revamped Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career in an England shirt, simply by moving him to his preferred right-back.

The Liverpool star had been kept out of the side for years by the likes of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, culminating in the failed experiment of trying him in midfield during Euro 2024. 

‘It’s like the Trent one,’ Lescott said. ‘He doesn’t have to be [starting] in midfield but can you get him into those areas of the field where those passes can be made?’

An electric win in Dublin, courtesy of ex-Ireland boys Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, followed by a feel-good Wembley victory over Finland, which saw Harry Kane bag a brace in his 100th match, formed a perfect start under Carsley’s new ‘handbrake-off’ playing style. 

But things have turned sour. After a humiliating defeat at home to Greece, Carsley seems to be unsure whether he wants the job, with the boss saying he would ‘hopefully…be going back to the [under]-21s’.

He then created further confusion following another win over lowly Finland, claiming the Three Lions role was for ‘a world class coach who’s won trophies’ before later stressing that this did not rule him out.

Lescott is part of Carsley’s coaching team and made 26 appearances for the Three Lions

He added that the manager could learn from the way he revamped Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career in an England shirt

After a humiliating defeat at home to Greece, Carsley seems to be unsure whether he wants the job 

The FA have made it clear they are giving Carsley six matches to show why he should be considered for the position. In the meantime, they are assessing other candidates.

Star names who have entered the conversation include Champions League winners Pep Guardiola, who has not ruled out a dramatic move into international management, and Thomas Tuchel, who is thought to already be in discussions over the role.

Meanwhile, English managers Graham Potter and Eddie Howe are among the contenders to succeed Gareth Southgate, who quit in July in the aftermath of the Euros final loss to Spain, following eight years in charge.