England defender Kyle Walker has backed his Manchester City team-mate Phil Foden to “rise to the big occasions” at Euro 2024 and says the forward deserves to be judged on the whole tournament, rather than their opening game.
Foden is set to keep his place on the left of England’s front three for Thursday afternoon’s second group game against Denmark here in Frankfurt.
The Premier League player of the year was subdued on the ball as Gareth Southgate’s side began the Euros on Sunday with a patchy 1-0 win over Serbia, although the manager believes he did “an exceptional job”.
Walker said: “I don’t think one game defines a player. It’s a season or a tournament that defines a player. Especially with Phil coming off the back of the season he had, I don’t think one 90 minutes should be scrutinised as much as I’m being told it is.
“Phil is a great character, he’s had, I wouldn’t say a difficult path to get here, as he’s won a lot of trophies at Manchester City, but he’s had to be patient.
“This is just another little thing he has to overcome when there is so much pressure on him now after such a great season, that big players have to rise up on big occasions.”
Foden will again be supported from left-back by the right-footed Kieran Trippier, with Luke Shaw on Wednesday training individually and not available to face the Danes as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury.
“Luke is progressing as we thought he would,” Southgate said. “Realistically, we are looking to the back end of this week and early next, and we are not unhappy with that progress at all. We are still positive he can make a contribution as we move forward.”
Southgate acknowledged that Foden missed the “balance” and “drive” provided by Shaw, the only recognised left-back in the squad, but believes Trippier brings other qualities to the role.
“The balance [Shaw] gives, the drive he gives, whoever plays with him down that side of the pitch, he gives a different outlet,” the manager said.
“But if you talk to wingers that play with [Trippier], his communication is an enormous help to other players. He has different attributes that Luke doesn’t have.”
Asked about Foden’s display against the Serbs, Southgate added: “I thought Phil did an exceptional job for us on Sunday.
“Other players grabbed the attention, but the way he worked for the team, defended the spaces, real intelligence in how he played. Towards the end of the game he retained the ball for us in really crucial moments.
“He had a half-chance in the first couple of minutes where a slightly better touch and a shot away on goal we could be talking about something very different.
“He linked the game well in that opening period with the others. There was a lot going on in the game, a lot tactically to solve. And we were happy with what Phil did.”
Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel believes England are an even better side than the one which beat them in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 three years ago.
“I think England were a world-class side when we met them [in 2021], they got to the final of a major tournament,” Schmeichel said.
“And when you look at some of the additions and the experience they’ve gained, they are a better side now than ever, at least in the time I’ve played against them. We’re going to have to be on top of our game to beat them.”
