The future is very bright - the challenge for Gareth Southgate is to mould it all together to make a successful team. Getting the balance right for England Phil Foden made his senior England debut in September 2020 and has won 11 full caps, scoring two goals

Highest quality sport photography. At Sport Photo Gallery, we source our photographs from some of the most celebrated sports photographers in the world. From unforgettable on-pitch moments to official team portraits, we've got it all. After Phil Foden had wreaked havoc against Liverpool at Anfield a few seasons ago, teeing up two goals before claiming a stunning one of his own to round off a 4-1 win, Carles Puyol felt moved to laud the young Manchester City tyro on social media. “What a great player,” the former Barcelona captain said, and he should know. Foden still has time but, maybe, not as much as his 23 years suggest. If Bellingham had chosen City, Foden’s hopes of becoming “the man” under Guardiola would have seriously receded, as shown by the 13 goals scored by the 20-year-old Bellingham in 14 Madrid appearances.That's where English football has really won out as a result of foreign managers and players coming in from the mid-1990s onwards. That type of player - the technician, really - has really flourished because of a change in playing style. It was a long wait, but we have moved on. Create bespoke photographs. With easy-to-use customisation features, we let you take control and create bespoke photographs for any occasion. From gift giving to home decoration, our custom options are endless.

Guardiola still has Foden but last season was a first post-Silva campaign in which faith wavered, the England international being trusted with markedly less playing time. In 2020-21 Foden played 3,373 minutes in all competitions that came in 36 starts in 50 appearances, with 16 goals (all career-high numbers) and 10 assists. The following season the same statistics read 3,184, 36, 45, 14, 11. Then Foden endured a notable drop to 2,260 minutes and 29 starts with only eight assists, though in 48 appearances there were 15 goals. If, that is, he is selected – which is the clue to Foden’s status under Guardiola. This is a footballer who since his debut at 17 as a 75th-minute replacement against Feyenoord six years ago has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League and the Uefa Super Cup but is still to convince his manager he can be De Bruyne’s successor as the next dazzling star in a Guardiola constellation that features Messi (Barça, 2008-12), Götze (Bayern, 2013-16), and Silva (City, 2016-20). Judging the correct time to release it is one of the things he has got to work on but I am sure he will improve his decision-making while he is at City, because he has got the ability. In truth, Puyol was not the only illustrious player of past Barcelona association to show an interest in Foden’s progress. Pep Guardiola’s presence at City has always ensured a degree of fascination in Catalonia at events unfolding in east Manchester and in the past Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are thought to have idly asked their friend and compatriot Sergio Aguero what “that kid Foden” is like.

Midfielder for both Manchester City and the England national team, Phil Foden has become synonymous with both teams' recent successes at home and abroad, and at Sport Photo Gallery, we're documenting the young star's rise to footballing fame. Mason Mount is extremely talented as well, so with those two to build around, we have really got something to go with in the next few years, and the same applies to Declan Rice, who should become a fixture in the team. It underlines how midfield is such an important area. For me, Foden has to be an integral part of whatever England do next because before long he is going to be the best player we have in this country. In two or three years' time, when he is nearing his peak, he will be the top man. Foden was one of a contingent of City players at Manchester Arena for the Khan-Brook fight who had attended following their earlier 3-2 Premier League defeat by Tottenham. When Silva ended a glittering decade at City he was rated by many as the club’s greatest footballer. Three years later De Bruyne’s serial A-list displays allow a similar claim. In January 2020, before Silva’s departure that summer, Guardiola said: “We trust Phil. If we didn’t believe in him we might go to the market to replace David, but we have Phil.”