Recent reporting says Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, once central to England’s plans, now face increased competition for the number 10 roles in the national team. One outlet frames the change as a shift over roughly two years, noting that after Euro 2024 both players were expected to remain key options and were recognised through major individual awards. However, they are now described as struggling to secure the same place in Gareth Southgate’s team, amid heightened rivalry and evolving selection priorities.
BBC News similarly describes a decline in their standing, stating that while both were considered England’s “future” earlier, they are currently unable to consistently make the squad. Both reports connect this to a competitive environment in which other options and tactical interpretations affect who is chosen for the attacking playmaking position. The coverage does not offer a single unified explanation, but it agrees on the overall theme: the path to the England squad in the number 10 role has become more difficult for Palmer and Foden.
