It could still prove to be Phil Foden‘s lightbulb moment. But if it turns on Thomas Tuchel enough to earn Foden a place in England‘s World Cup squad, only the German knows. Had Tuchel been at the Etihad this week to see for himself, he would have watched a vintage performance from one of England’s most gifted footballers.
One piece of genius stood out in particular. A sublime back heel from Foden to tee-up Antoine Semenyo for the opening goal in Manchester City‘s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. In the blink of an eye, Foden bamboozled three defenders at the same time. He did that before going on to set-up another goal, as part of a display which saw Foden run the game from start to finish.
‘Vintage’ might be an ironic adjective to use, where Foden is concerned. Because Foden hasn’t reached the ripe old age of 26 yet. But the fact he has won 18 trophies already on behalf of arguably the greatest club side to ever grace English football, is a startling measure of his incredible talents.
But talents that have deserted Foden this season. To such an extent that Foden was left feeling grateful to Pep Guardiola, who chose to give him what was a rare start in the drubbing of Palace. Foden repaid Guardiola’s faith with a masterclass of attacking midfield play.
But it isn’t Guardiola that Foden needs to impress right now. The Spaniard knows all about him. Foden will have hoped Tuchel was watching the game on TV. Because Foden wants his seat on the plane to North America next month, but also knows his poor season, combined with the fact he remains an enigma at international level, means he might be spending June sitting on a beach somewhere luxurious instead.
Perhaps Foden is finding his best form at the crucial time. Better late than never? And he might get the chance to ram home the fact tomorrow, when City take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Because lining up opposite him will be someone competing for the same place in Tuchel’s squad that Foden wants. The similarities between Foden and Cole Palmer are wonderful and worrying in equal measure.
Both have been blessed by the footballing gods. Both can turn a game with a piece of individual brilliance. And both can be more infuriating than watching Rory McIlroy play golf.
Like Foden, Palmer has found himself mired in mediocrity this season. Palmer has proved in the past he is the man for the big occasion. He scored in the 2024 Euros final. And he scored in the Club World Cup final.
Which is all well and good, but Palmer also hasn’t scored in his last 12 games for club and country. People now refer to him as ‘Cold Palmer’, which is ironic considering his celebration when he does manage to find the back of the net.
All of the above makes this weekend’s showpiece game even more significant for both Foden and Palmer.
There is no room for both of them in Tuchel’s starting XI. There might not even be room for both of them in the squad. It feels like a shoot-out between two of England’s finest gunslingers.
Tuchel is expected to attend the FA Cup final – and if either of them cannot seize the chance to impress him when it matters most, they deserve to be left at home watching the World Cup, instead of being part of it.