Phil Foden fit to start England Under-21s’ European Championship dead rubber against Croatia
AIDY BOOTHROYD says Phil Foden is fit to start the England Under-21s’ Euro 2019 dead rubber against Croatia tonight.
The Young Lions boss caused a stir by dropping the Manchester City super-kid, 19, for Friday’s 4-2 loss to Romania, which dumped England out.
Boothroyd claimed he had to manage Foden’s game time — even though he has played just 1,134 minutes of first-team football for City this term.
He said: “Phil is fit and raring to go. We want to approach the game on the front foot, it’s important we finish strongly.
“So I will field my strongest team while maybe giving time to players who will still be with us when our Euro 2021 campaign begins in the autumn.”
Boothroyd has come in for some stick after England’s early exit.
AIDY GOING NOW
He said: “I’m experienced enough to know when it’s good it’s great and when it’s not so good, it’s not so good.
“Anyone who thinks it’s all plain sailing has not been in football long.”
And Boothroyd has insisted he’s going nowhere after the humiliating defeat at the hands of Romania.
When quizzed on his future, Boothroyd, who signed a new two-year contract last month with the FA last month, said: “I am surprised by the question.
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“It is not reflection on should I stay or go, but reflection on what we have achieved and what we could have done better.
“It is important to have a proper debrief about it.
“We have to pick the bones out of it. If we are going to win a tournament like this there are things we have to improve on.”
ENGLAND (likely): Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Konsa, Clarke-Salter, Kelly, Maddison, Dowell, Foden, Gray, Abraham, Nelson.