Phil Foden sets sights on England recall and says he has had no contact with Tuchel

Phil Foden is aiming for an England recall after the Manchester City attacker was left out of the squad for last summer’s World Cup and the Nations League games this season by Thomas Tuchel.

While the next round of England games in the competition – the squad for which will be named on Friday – may come too soon for a recall, Foden wants to force his way back into Tuchel’s plans. The 26-year-old said: “Hopefully, one day the call-up might come back. It’s one of those things [being dropped]. Football is full of ups and downs. You have to try your best, keep putting on performances.”

Foden revealed Tuchel has not been in touch since the World Cup to discuss what the manager wishes to see from him. “No, I haven’t really spoken to him to be honest, so not much to say on that,” he said.

In September’s 1-0 win at Manchester United Foden was sent off after 23 minutes, resulting in a three-match ban. As this came a week before the last international window, he did not play again for more than a month.

Foden said: “Obviously, I had the unfortunate red against United but the break did me good, I came back fresh and sharp. I’ve been involved in a lot of goals recently and I’m happy. Personally [the season] – it’s gone really well. I took some family time [after the red card], went on holiday. It was a very long time, which felt strange. It gave me time to work on things I need to work on. I felt like I could help the team.”

Before City face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, Enzo Maresca conceded that City cannot rely on Erling Haaland to score in every game, with the manager clear that more support is needed from the rest of the squad.

Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Brighton was the first time Maresca’s side has failed to score this season. Yet despite racking up 36 goals in all competitions, Haaland’s 13 is seven more than the next highest scorer, Rayan Cherki. Foden’s four goals – including a hat-trick in City’s last European outing, against AEK Athens – is the third best.

Maresca said: “It’s very important that in each game we create chances. For sure when you have Erling inside the pitch, it’s better because he’s going to score goals. But you know that he’s always there, close. At the same time, we cannot rely on Erling for every game.

“We need the rest to score goals. But I think the last game against Brighton was the only game of the season where we didn’t score. If Erling is on the pitch, we are happy. But also we need the rest to score goals.”

In the 2023-24 season Foden scored 27 goals, a career high. He was asked if he can support Haaland more and produce his form of three years ago. “Hopefully,” he said. “[The key is] keep playing regularly, being happy and positive. Being in the right positions and hopefully I can get back to that level now. I’m getting there slightly more now.”