The One England Player Spain Must "Keep Under Control" in the Euro 2024 Final
With the Euro 2024 final just around the corner, Manchester City midfielder Rodri has revealed that he believes the one England player Spain must "keep under control" if they are to emerge victorious on Sunday. In an interview with beIN SPORTS, the Spanish international identified his club colleague Phil Foden as the main threat to his country’s chances.
"Foden is a player who has to be kept under control because he has an innate ability to move in a small space," Rodri said. "He’s a player who can hurt you with his individual talent and intelligence on the pitch."
Rodri has had the pleasure of playing alongside Foden at Manchester City, and his respect for the English midfielder is clear. "I love Phil Foden because I know him, he’s with me. He’s a top player, but we have to find a way to contain him."
The task won’t be an easy one for Rodri and the Spanish defense. England have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, with Foden’s creativity and flair causing problems for opponents at times. John Stones and Kyle Walker, also set to start against Spain, are known for their tenacity and athleticism, making it difficult for Rodri to keep track of his man.
The 28-year-old, who has plied his trade in the Premier League since 2019, knows all about English football and its culture. He acknowledges the team’s strength and says Spain will have to adapt to stop them.
"They have a very talented team, players who can unbalance and who can control all aspects of the game. They defend well, they can attack you, they are good at set pieces. We have to work on how to hurt them."
So, can Spain find a way to nullify Foden and take the trophy? The answer lies with Rodri and his defense, but it won’t be easy. If they can find a way to shut down Foden and keep the pressure on, Spain will be strong favorites to lift the trophy on Sunday.
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Additional facts:
- Spain and England will be playing each other for the 44th time in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
- Phil Foden has scored 8 goals in 28 appearances for England at the international level.
- Rodri has started all 7 matches for Spain at the Euro 2024 tournament so far, playing 630 minutes of football.
- Manchester City is a clear favorite to win the Premier League this season, with a 5-point lead at the top of the table.
- John Stones and Kyle Walker are part of the experienced English backline that has conceded only 7 goals in 7 matches at the Euro 2024 tournament.