Phil Foden: 'Intensity up' in Euro 2024 training for 'most technical England team I've ever seen'
/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 24/06/2024 at 13:27 GMT+1
Ahead of England's final Euro 2024 group game against Slovenia, Phil Foden admitted he and the team “expect more from ourselves” after two lacklustre showings so far. The Manchester City attacker, who has yet to find his best form at the tournament, said the intensity in England training "has gone up a little bit" as they look to finish at the top of Group C with victory on Tuesday.
Kane suggests critical ex-player pundits could take a 'step back'
Phil Foden says England have stepped up the intensity in training as they prepare for their final Euro 2024 group game against Slovenia on Tuesday.
Following the disappointing 1-1 draw against Denmark, Gareth Southgate said England failed to press with enough intensity and raised concerns over the team’s physical condition.
Speaking on the Lions Den show, Foden admitted he and the team “expect more from ourselves” after two lacklustre showings in the tournament so far.
“I feel like the intensity has gone up a little bit,” Foden said. “We’ve had a good start, we’re on four points, but we expect more from ourselves.
“I look around and the characters we have, we always expect more from ourselves. Training has gone up going into this game.”
The Manchester City attacker remained confident about England’s chances, saying this squad might be the most “technical” side he’s been a part of.
“The standard is so high,” he said. “It’s probably the most technical England team I’ve ever seen.
“Training is such a high level, it’s where you want to be, training with the best players week in, week out. I’m just happy to be here and to try to help the team as best as possible.”
Foden is yet to locate his best form at the Euros, with the 24-year-old struggling to make an impact from the left side of England’s attack.
While England’s performances and his role in Southgate’s team have come under scrutiny, Foden has tried to escape the noise as much as he can by going fishing at England’s training base.
“I’ve had a little bit of time to go fishing, so it’s been nice,” he said. “Some big ones, I’ve caught some nice fish.
“I’ve done a lot of things [during] this camp. I’ve been playing a bit of darts, basketball, padel. I’m new to that but it’s a great game. I’ve been trying to keep my mind occupied, I think it’s important.
“I feel like this camp, how it’s set up, when you’re off the field, there’s a lot to do and keep your mind off football if you want. I’ve been trying to spend as much time out [of] my room as possible, doing different things.
“Such a great group here, everyone sticks together. Now I feel we’re finding our feet, we’re going into the third game full of confidence and trying to finish top of the group.”
Foden’s City teammate John Stones backed him to rediscover his best form, regardless of where he plays for England.
“I think Phil loves playing through the middle,” Stones told talkSPORT. “He’s played every position up top for us at City. It’s a difficult one and I’m glad I’m not the manager to make those decisions.
“Wherever Phil plays, he’s incredible, he’s a top player. Obviously, everyone has their strengths in different positions.
“I just want Phil to enjoy his football, that’s when he’s at his best. If he keeps working hard as he is in training, scoring the screamers he does, eventually it’ll come out on the pitch.”
England can finish on top of Group C with victory against Slovenia on Tuesday in Cologne.
- - -
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement