Foden gets criticized for subpar performance vs Serbia

The English media were notably critical of the national team’s performance against Serbia, despite the 1-0 victory in their Euro 2024 Group C opener. Winger Phil Foden, in particular, was singled out for his underwhelming performance. Despite having had a standout season with Manchester City, where he earned the Premier League Player of the Year award, Foden’s impact on the match was negligible.

Statistical analysis of the game highlighted his lack of contribution: Foden neither scored nor assisted, failed to register a single shot on target, did not deliver any accurate crosses, and had no successful dribbles. Such a performance drew considerable criticism and low ratings from the media.

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Former football star Cesc Fabregas, now a BBC commentator, was particularly vocal about Foden’s performance. Fabregas, who has an impressive resume with two European Championships and a World Cup with Spain, stated, “I think players like him need to step up and take responsibility. Now is the time to enter a major tournament, with their country behind them.”

Echoing Fabregas’s sentiments, former England international and Manchester City player Micah Richards expressed his disappointment. “It saddens me that a player of his quality is being excluded from the game. It’s just disappointing that we can’t get the best out of him,” Richards remarked.