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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Malik Ouzia

Phil Foden hails Bukayo Saka response to Euro 2020 penalty heartbreak: ‘I learn from him’

Manchester City star Phil Foden says Arsenal counterpart Bukayo Saka’s response to his Euro 2020 heartache has been something of an inspiration as he bids to get over his own England pain.

Saka has bounced back from his penalty miss against Italy at Wembley two years ago to establish himself as a talisman for both Arsenal and his country.

Foden is driven by his own sense of personal disappointment after he missed out on the Euro 2020 final with a foot injury.

Saka and Foden are battling for the Premier League title with Arsenal and City, as well as a starting spot in England’s front three under Gareth Southgate.

Friends and rivals: Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden are competing both for the Premier League title and an England starting berth (The FA via Getty Images)

Foden is expected be on the bench against Italy in Naples on Thursday night, with Saka and Jack Grealish set to be given the nod to start alongside captain Harry Kane.

“Definitely, I learn from him,” said Foden of Saka. “From him missing that penalty, he's turned it around with his performances on the pitch for club and country. He's such a nice lad and everyone loves him. He's a big part of what we do here.

“It shows what a person he is. He's such a young lad, he's still developing and still learning about the game. For him to come back from something like that just shows the courage he's got and how much he's come on. I'm so happy for him.”

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