Gareth Southgate will next week readily remind everyone of his commitment to Phil Foden as one of England’s most important players.
There seems to be a false narrative that Southgate does not fancy Foden or does not pick him in his best position for England. And yet the stats and reality tell a very different story ahead of this summer’s Euros when Foden’s current form means he will be crucial for England’s chances of winning the tournament.
England boss Southgate, who names his squad for this month’s double header with Brazil and Belgium next Thursday, has given 23-year-old Foden 31 caps in the space of just over three years. Of those 31 caps, 26 were in competitive fixtures and seven were at major finals.
He would almost certainly have featured in the Euros final in 2021 but for injury. And even more telling, Manchester City star Foden has played in England’s last eight successive games, including the full 90 minutes of the last three internationals.
In-form Foden, one of the clear favourites for this season’s Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year gong, also played in all but one - United States - of England’s 2022 World Cup games, including 85 minutes of the quarter final defeat to France.
Foden started alongside Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka in that France game and the smart money will be on them being England’s first choice forward line this summer.
There is another argument about Southgate getting the best out of Foden but actually he has often started from the wide areas for his club and did his most damage coming in from the flanks against Manchester United last Sunday.
City boss Pep Guardiola was adamant that he wanted Foden to start his career as a wide player and develop from there. At the moment, it would seem likely Bellingham could start in the No.10 role with Foden coming in from the left.
But Southgate spelt out his admiration for Foden as far back as September 2020 when he called him a “beautiful player” and recalled first seeing his talent at under-15s level.
Southgate said at the time: “He can play [as a number] eight, ten, seven, eleven. He will do it differently. If he plays wide he is not going to hug the touchline. We need to be able to give him the freedom to come off the line, get between the lines, play, follow, with the passes that he can.”
No-one should be in any doubt over Foden’s importance to Southgate. And now with such an array of attacking talents at England’s disposal, they will also boast arguably the best forward line at the tournament.
Realistically, Southgate - whose contract expires in December - will probably only stay on as England boss if he wins the Euros and wants one more crack at the World Cup. And therefore, no-one should doubt Southgate’s desire to attack the tournament.
================
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters was one of the big name attendees of a “sports brain storming” function organised by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
The event was also attended by Everton boss Sean Dyche and also former players like Peter Reid and Graeme Le Saux as well as the likes of FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and other sporting greats like Denise Lewis and Steve Cram.
This column has been told that there was some “gentle ribbing” towards Masters from the Everton contingent but it did stay on the humorous side despite so much anger after the club was punished for breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Luton Town were also represented at the social event and they could be another club affected by potential points deductions for Everton and Nottingham Forest. Luton's hugely impressive manager Rob Edwards is handling the situation brilliantly despite his club - which has done nothing wrong - being left in limbo.
Meanwhile, Premier League chiefs are believed to have finally met with potential new owners 777 Partners this week who are looking to complete a takeover.
It has been a busy time at the Premier League as all clubs had to submit their accounts by March 1 to prove they fall into line with PSR. The likes of Everton and Forest had already done so because any club with significant losses in two of their previous three years must submit earlier.
==============
Non-league club Uppermill have received a special message from one of football’s biggest names.
The club celebrates its centenary this year and got a lovely video from former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who is still in fabulous shape at 74.
Wenger said: “Congratulations on your 100th birthday… you are nearly as old as I am! We have something together: we love the game. That’s why we survive!”
Former England star Paul Scholes’ son Arron plays for Uppermill - a picturesque village in Greater Manchester - and clearly they have connections in high places.
==============
Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is not only catching the eye of Premier League scouts as he is a free agent this summer.
The 26-year-old centre half represented England at youth level but is still eligible to play for Nigeria who remain keen on bringing him over. But his stats this season are outstanding while his performances have impressed Liverpool.
Tosin has won 68.97 per cent of his duels this season which is more than any other English centre half and has made more interceptions and clearances than any of his rivals whilst committing the fewest fouls.
================
This column reported two weeks ago that Bournemouth sporting director Richard Hughes was a target for Liverpool.
Hughes has now confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season but his next move may still depend on whether Michael Edwards returns to Anfield this summer as the pair are very close. And one source believes that Liverpool is Hughes’ favoured destination.
========================
One thing very noticeable from Burnley’s defeat to Bournemouth last Sunday was a bulge on the back of the home side’s players’ shirts.
Premier League clubs have routinely worn “data vests” in training for years with state-of-the-art technology to collect stats on running distances, heat maps and sprints.
But fewer wear them during games but the tech is allowed and available to use and the data is often reviewed at half time to make changes. Burnley use them in games and it was so noticeable that it cropped up in commentary.
Increasingly, clubs station an army of analysts in the stands - also in press boxes - to watch games and they are in constant touch with coaches.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.