DARTS fan Phil Foden launched three 180s at the team hotel in Germany – but the country is still waiting for him to hit the target at Euro 2024.
The Manchester City player’s performances in all four games were extremely frustrating, not just for the fans screaming at the TV at home, but for the player himself.
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And now it is crucial that against Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday, the Premier League’s best player of the season puts in the kind of dazzling performance we have regularly seen from City.
Yesterday, in England’s media center at Blankenhain Castle, Foden was asked why, after such an incredible campaign, he was not getting on with Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and also Bukayo Saka.
Foden, 24, said: “I don’t know, but I’m a bit frustrated. I’m not going to lie.
“I want to score, do better things for England. It didn’t work out, but it’s about keeping a good mindset.
“I haven’t been the best Premier League player to come here and not show that.
“I feel like with each game I’ve been making progress and I hope I can put in good performances and that’s always been my goal for England.”
Manager Gareth Southgate is accused of not putting all of his players in their best positions and the obvious case is Foden.
He has excelled on the left, although he has exchanged with 21-year-old Real Madrid star Bellingham during games, albeit without much effect.
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Foden’s best moments in games so far, including hitting the post against Denmark and having a goal disallowed for offside against Slovakia, have come from central positions.
And he said: “For City, I changed more centrally and the goals went up.
“I was influenced by more games. “I was always honest about my position and saw myself playing in midfield.
“Even though I started on the left in England, I moved on to these other positions.
“It’s more how we’ve been on the ball. They couldn’t find me because of the way the games went.
“We didn’t have many attacks in some games. We had to dig deep and I hope no two games are the same and that against Switzerland I see more possession and that our pressure is good.
“My first game here was very calm. I feel that in the following games I grew in the tournament.
“I came close a few times. I feel like my performance since the first game has improved.”
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The biggest question on everyone’s lips is why he can’t play well with boy wonder Bellingham.
He said, “No, I don’t agree with that, I feel like we work well together. That’s how the games went.
“In the last game against Slovakia, we developed things very well in terms of keeping possession of the ball much more.
“We built up the pressure towards the end and I feel like we can come together in the next game.”
One thing Foden is grateful for was Bellingham’s wonderful goal against Slovakia – as it meant he could avoid baby duties for a few more days.
He had returned to Germany from England after attending the birth of his third child, a boy.
Speaking about the Bellingham leveler, Foden said: “I thought it would be 30 seconds until I fed the baby at home. . . So thanks to Jude for that. That saved me there! It’s unbelievable what he did. That just sums up Jude – he never gives up until the end.”
Foden revealed that it was planned that he would return to England in the build-up to the game against Slovakia.
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He added: “It was arranged. Gareth is really good with things like that.
“Obviously it was crazy coming home and going out, but the main focus is trying to win the Euros.”
Foden, who has scored just four goals in 38 international appearances, knows England face a tough game against the impressive Swiss, who will be joined by his City team-mate Manuel Akanji.
He added: “From what I’ve seen, they’ve been really good with the ball.
“So we’ll have to get the press right.
“Obviously I know Akanji and he is incredible with the ball. He is someone who shows a lot of composure when under pressure. He’s an unbelievable player, so we hope he has an off day.”
If England beat the Swiss, it would mean a semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday against the Netherlands or Turkey.
It will also mean Foden has a few more days to challenge his teammates on the oche.
He said: “I love darts. I started playing around eight or nine. I always had a cutting board at home.
“No one has beaten me here yet. It’s going well so far. I had three 180s this camp, which I’m proud of.
“I have played a lot with Eze. The more I beat him, the more he tries to play with me. Which I like because that’s the mentality I have.
“When I’m losing I always want to play again and he’s like that. Every time I beat him, he’s like, ‘grab your darts, let’s go again’.”
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