Gareth Southgate told to give Phil Foden key role over Jude Bellingham as Carlo Ancelotti gives honest assessment of performance

01/05/2024 00:24

Gareth Southgate has been told to play Phil Foden ahead of Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield ahead of Euro 2024.

It comes after a lacklustre display against Bayern Munich in the Champions League where the Real Madrid superstar had to be roped off after 75 minutes on Tuesday night.

Even Real boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted Bellingham had a tough night as talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara insisted Foden should be ahead of him behind the striker.

Speaking to Jason Cundy on talkSPORT, O’Hara said: “Bellingham, what I’ve watched from the last few Champions League games, he’s been very quiet, hasn’t he?

“Phil Foden, for me, is absolutely tearing it up. We keep talking about Bellingham being a no. 10 for England.

“But Phil Foden gets that shirt, doesn’t he? [Southgate] is still going to play Bellingham but you have got to change where you play.”

Manchester City’s Foden has had a fine campaign and is in with a shout of winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, having scored 23 and assisted ten in all competitions.

Bellingham, meanwhile, made little impact against Bayern Munich and had to be taken off 15 minutes before full-time with Ancelotti insisting he was suffering from cramps.

The legendary Italian said: “Jude Bellingham was not at the best level tonight, but same for the entire team.”

"Bellingham got cramps after 60 mins so I had to sub him off."

The 20-year-old has been in sensational form this season, so much so that former Real Madrid star Steve McManaman ranked him better than three Galacticos in terms of immediate impact made.

In 37 appearances this season, the ex-Borussia Dortmund and Birmingham midfielder has scored 21 times and assisted ten – but could not make a goal contribution against Bayern.

And it is not his first misery against Munich, having now failed to win in nine appearances against the German giants, drawing two and losing seven.

Bellingham did try to make one impact on the match when he looked to put Harry Kane off before he took his penalty in the second half.

His fellow England teammate was unmoved, though, slotting home to put Bayern ahead before Vinicius Jr scored his own penalty to make it 2-2.

Kane reacted to the incident after the match, potentially making for an awkward reunion at Euro 2024 when they join up for England.

Speaking after the game, the 30-year-old said: “To be honest I don’t know what he was saying. He was mumbling… I’d have to ask him what he said.

“Once I’m in that moment I’m in that zone and I block everything out but I’m sure he was saying something to try and put me off! Thankfully it was okay for me.”