Thomas Tuchel offered Phil Foden fresh World Cup hope by hailing his performance as a centre forward substitute in last night’s 2-0 win against Serbia at Wembley.
Foden has been on the outside of the England picture this season but topped an impressive half an hour by setting up Eberechi Eze’s last minute goal.
Having been told by Tuchel that he can’t play in the same team as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, Foden played as false nine against Serbia after replacing his captain in the second half.
‘It was excellent from Phil,’ said Tuchel last night.
‘He has been confident from the first minute he walked into camp and that was the same with his first touch on the pitch.
‘He can play against any opponent. I like to have him in the centre of the field. It’s a big challenge to challenge Harry as he is in the form of his life.
Phil Foden played as a false nine after coming on as a substitute against Serbia on Thursday
Thomas Tuchel hailed the Man City star for his ‘excellent’ performance as England won 2-0
Tuchel said in the build-up to Thursday’s game that he cannot play Harry Kane (left), Jude Bellingham (right) and Foden in the same team – and must leave at least one big name out
‘But Phil can share the minutes in decisive moments. I had the idea of him playing there a few weeks ago. I played against him when I was manager at Chelsea during a great period for City. He was in the pocket, getting on the half turn and shooting. You couldn’t control him.
‘He has had a difficult spell at City but has come back in a deeper role. I wanted to see him in middle of traffic here.’
Asked if Foden now had the chance to become a genuine alternative to Kane up front for England, Tuchel didn’t dismiss the idea.
‘If he stays in this shape and form it’s no problem,’ Tuchel added.
‘I have other options and ideas that I don’t want to talk about. I also have Olli Watkins and Danny Welbeck.
‘It will come down to who is in shape and how we want to share the minutes.’
England will now fly to Terana for their final World Cup qualifier against Albania on Sunday having not yet conceded a goal in qualifying.
‘I’m superstitious so don’t want to talk about it,’ said Tuchel.
Tuchel waxed lyrical about the Man City star, insisting he ‘can play against any opponent’
Foden capped off an impressive half an hour by setting up Eberechi Eze’s last minute goal
‘One deflected shot after two minutes and we don’t get our record.
‘To do it you need some luck and a good goalkeeper. But the most important part is discipline and work rate.
‘The players really buy in to this effort of defending.’
