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Phil Foden responds to Mbappe-Neymar comparisons

Phil Foden
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The England international hopes to take his game to another level in the future.

Phil Foden has denied suggestions that he is comparable to Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, but he does hope to reach the same level as the Paris Saint-Germain duo.

The 22-year-old heads to his first World Cup this winter in excellent form, having managed seven goals and three assists in 14 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City before the enforced break from club football.

“The people [Mbappe and Neymar] you’ve just mentioned there are way above me at the moment, but I like to think I could be there one day,” Foden said.

“It’s all about taking small steps in the right direction. I just want to take my club form into the national team. With my club form this year, I’ve been scoring a lot of goals and I want to bring that to the national team.”

The attacking midfielder has won 18 caps for England since making his Three Lions debut in 2020, supplying two goals and six assists. He was also part of the squad that reached the Euro 2020 final last year.

“I’ve got to score in big games and big finals to be world-class,” Foden continued.

“I know I’m capable of doing that, so it’s something I strive for and look forward to. Have England seen the best of me? Definitely not. I don’t think it is easy coming into a team and not knowing the players very well.

“You have to learn to play with different players and what they like best – running behind, or wanting balls to feet. Just little details like that. I have had enough experience in the England team to understand the players. Hopefully, I can bring that into the World Cup.

“I definitely should have scored a lot more for England, really. We have quality in every area on the pitch, so we can’t always rely on Harry [Kane] because teams are going to try to cut him off because of how good he is.

“It is going to take not just Harry to step up this tournament. Us attacking players are going to have to step up as well as times.”

Foden could make his World Cup debut on Monday when England play Iran for their Group B opener.

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