England icon David Seaman wants to see Phil Foden 'adapt' to Gareth Southgate's system after the winger struggled to impress in the opening Euro 2024 game against Serbia.
Foden was named Premier League Player of the Season last season as Manchester City won the title for the fourth consecutive year.
That form helped him become a starter in Southgate's England side, although Jude Bellingham has been favoured in the cental role.
The Real Madrid superstar thrived in his debut campaign in La Liga and has carried that form into the Euros as he scored England's winner against Serbia.
In contrast, Foden looked far from his best and struggled to have an impact on the game.
David Seaman wants to see Phil Foden deliver against Denmark
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It's led to some calls for Southgate to drop Foden for the next match against Denmark, but Seaman still has faith the 24-year-old can step up.
"Phil Foden’s lack of influence has been a talking point after the game, and I think Phil is unfortunate that Bellingham goes into the areas that he normally occupies for Man City," Seaman said.
"There’s a bit of a crossover there but you can’t have both players in that No. 10 position, so Phil needs to adapt to where Gareth Southgate is asking him to play and start affecting the game. I’ve got no doubt that he will work it out because he’s a quality player.
"Jude drifted out of the game a little bit in the second half, and maybe that’s when Phil can decide to pop into the midfield to help out.
"Even as good a player as Phil Foden is, that sense of adapting his game and sorting out situations on the pitch is something he can add to his game.
"Phil should be getting himself involved a little bit more, but he can’t go and take the game by the scruff of the neck because he’s playing in a wider position and he’s got defensive responsibilities.
"There’s a right-footer at left-back in Kieran Trippier, so he needs some help and gets that from Phil.
"Jude has the license to roam, so Phil can’t do that because then the balance of the team would be all over the place.
"When Phil gets the ball, though, he can really influence the game. I wouldn’t leave him out of the team, because who would you put in that’s as good as Phil Foden? Nobody."
Gareth Southgate will have to decide whether to stick with Phil Foden
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There have also been calls for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier to be taken out of the side on Thursday.
Seaman still feels Alexander-Arnold has a role to play in midfield, but he'd like to see Luke Shaw come in for Trippier in a bid to help Foden more.
"The only change I would consider making to the team depends on the Luke Shaw situation. If he’s fit then I’d bring him in at left-back," he added.
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David Seaman also wants Luke Shaw to feature against Denmark
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"Having a natural left-footer behind Foden would help him. When Shaw’s playing, his natural body position is to open up and bend the ball down the line, whereas Trippier prefers to come inside onto his right foot, so he’s closing down the option to Foden straight away.
"Otherwise, I would leave it as it is, as I don’t see any reason to change the team. I didn’t have Trent Alexander-Arnold in my line-up before the tournament, but I understand why he’s playing there. He’s got a passing range that can unlock a defence and he’s great from dead-ball situations.
"I was very impressed by Marc Guehi at the back. He stepped in and looked like he’d been playing in defence for England for years. He was really confident and composed on the ball. Sometimes I thought he might smash it up the pitch, but instead he took control, found a player and played it out."