Gareth Southgate's true feelings about Phil Foden indicate England's Euro 2024 squad

The in-form Foden, one of the clear favorites for the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Season award, also played in all but one of England's 2022 World Cup matches – the United States' – including 85 minutes of the quarter-final defeat to France. .

Foden started alongside Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka in that France game, and the smart money will be on them to be England's first line forward this summer.

There is another debate about Southgate getting the best out of Foden, but in reality he often started from the wide areas for his club and did his most damage from the wings against Manchester United last Sunday.

City coach, Pep Guardiola, was adamant that he wanted Foden to start his career as a regular player and develop from there. At the moment, it looks likely that Bellingham will start as No.10 with Foden coming in from the left flank.

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But Southgate has admired Foden since September 2020 when he described him as a “beautiful player” and recalled seeing his talent for the first time at under-15 level.

“He can play,” Southgate said at the time [as a number] Eight, ten, seven, eleven. He will do it differently. If he plays wide he won't hug the touchline. We need to be able to give him the freedom to come off the line, get between the lines, make plays, follow up, with the passes he can make.

No one should doubt Foden's importance to Southgate. Now with this array of attacking talent at England's disposal, they will also boast the best attacking line of the tournament.

Realistically, Southgate – whose contract expires in December – will likely only continue in his England manager's role if he wins the European Championship and wants another shot at the World Cup. Therefore, no one should doubt Southgate's desire to attack the tournament.

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Premier League chief executive Richard Masters was a prominent attendee at a 'Sports Brainstorm' event organized by Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The event was also attended by Everton chairman Sean Dyche and also former players such as Peter Reid and Graeme Le Saux as well as the likes of FA CEO Mark Bullingham and other sporting greats such as Dennis Lewis and Steve Crum.

‌This column has been told there has been some “mild misrepresentation” towards Everton’s Masters, but it has remained on the humorous side despite the outcry after the club was punished for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

Luton Town were also represented at the social event and could be another club affected by the potential points deduction for Everton and Nottingham Forest. Luton's impressive manager Rob Edwards is handling the situation brilliantly despite leaving his club – who have done nothing wrong – in limbo.

Meanwhile, Premier League bosses are believed to have finally met with potential new owners 777 Partners this week who are looking to complete the takeover.

It has been a busy time in the Premier League as all clubs have had to submit their accounts by March 1 to prove they comply with the PSR. Clubs like Everton and Forest have already done so because any club that has suffered significant losses in two of its last three years should give up early.

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Non-league club Uppermill have received a special message from one of the biggest names in football.

The club is celebrating its centenary this year and has got a great video from former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who is still in great shape at 74 years old.

Wenger said: “Congratulations on your 100th birthday. You're almost as old as me! We have something together: we love the game. That's why we're alive!”

Aaron, the son of former England star Paul Scholes, plays in the picturesque village of Uppermill in Greater Manchester, and they clearly have connections in high places.

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Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is not just attracting the attention of Premier League scouts because he is a free agent this summer.

The 26-year-old midfielder represents England at youth level, but is still eligible to play for Nigeria, who are still keen to sign him. But his statistics this season are impressive while his performances have impressed Liverpool.

Tosin has won 68.97 per cent of his duels this season – more than any other English midfielder – and has made more interceptions and clearances than any of his rivals while committing the fewest fouls.

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This column reported two weeks ago that Bournemouth sporting director Richard Hughes was a target for Liverpool.

Hughes has now confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the season but his next move could depend on whether Michael Edwards returns to Anfield this summer as the pair are very close. One source believes Liverpool is Hughes' preferred destination.

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One very noticeable thing from Burnley's defeat to Bournemouth last Sunday was a bulge at the back of the home team's players' shirts.

Premier League clubs have routinely worn 'data vests' in training for years using the latest technology to collect statistics on running distances, heat maps and sprints.

But fewer people wear them while gaming but the technology is permissible and available to use and data is often reviewed in half the time to make changes. Burnley uses it in matches and it was so noticeable that it even appeared in commentary.

Increasingly, clubs are putting an army of analysts in the stands – and also in the press boxes – to watch matches and are in constant contact with coaches.

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