England manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a stark warning to Manchester City’s Phil Foden, stating his place in the World Cup squad is not guaranteed. The caution comes after Foden failed to make a significant impact during recent international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

Foden's Struggles on the International Stage

Foden was given ample opportunity to impress Tuchel, starting both recent friendlies. However, he was substituted after an hour in each match, failing to deliver the performance Tuchel hoped for. Despite a positive attitude, Tuchel noted Foden “struggles to show it on the pitch.”

“He tried everything,” Tuchel insisted. “I would say he was excellent in camp but, yeah, he struggles to show it on the pitch. He came to camp with the brightest smile and was so good in training and I thought he will just surprise us and will play with the same verve and excitement but, yeah, he struggles to have the full impact.”

Questioning Inclusion of Underperforming Players

When directly asked about taking an underperforming player to the World Cup, Tuchel responded bluntly: “I can, but the question would be if we will. It’s not a guarantee that he will come.” This highlights the competitive nature of the squad selection process.

Competition for Midfield Spots

Foden faces fierce competition for a place in attacking midfield. Tuchel has a wealth of options, including Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, and Morgan Gibbs-White. Emerging talents like Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman are also in contention.

Tuchel is mindful of limited squad space and the need to select players who can make a tangible impact. He cannot afford to include a player who isn’t performing at their best, potentially denying an opportunity to another deserving candidate.

A Recurring Issue

This isn’t the first time a manager has struggled to unlock Foden’s full potential. Former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate also faced similar challenges, even seeking advice from Pep Guardiola regarding Foden’s optimal position. Foden himself previously expressed frustration with being deployed in multiple roles, stating it hindered his performance.

Despite being a six-time Premier League champion and previously hailed as the best player in the country, Foden has only scored four goals in 49 appearances for England. Tuchel is determined to avoid a repeat of past issues and will only select Foden if he proves his worth.