England World Cup squad: How Cole Palmer and Phil Foden lost Thomas Tuchel's number 10 battle
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, once seen as future stars of England's football squad, have been omitted from the World Cup team due to a dip in form despite their past achievements and potential.
- Palmer, who impressed at Euro 2024 and won England's men's player of the year and PFA young player of the year, has seen a decline this season with fewer standout moments despite scoring nine goals in 25 Premier League appearances.
- Foden, after a stellar 2023-24 season, has struggled with consistency and failed to make a significant impact in recent matches, including a key opportunity against Uruguay where he was substituted early.
- England coach Thomas Tuchel prioritizes current form over reputation, favoring players like Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, and Eberechi Eze, who have shown more consistent performances, while players like Morgan Gibbs-White have been overlooked despite recent goal-scoring.
- Eberechi Eze's ability to add pace and unpredictability has made him a preferred choice over Foden and Palmer, reflecting a shift in the squad's dynamics and selection based on recent contributions rather than past promise.