England Under-21 coach Aidy Boothroyd expects to work with Phil Foden again next season.
The Manchester City star scored a wonderful individual goal against France in the opening game of the U21 European Championships but the Young Lions conceded two late goals to suffer defeat. And Foden was unexpectedly left out of their must-win game against Romania on Friday, which they also lost.
Despite the player giving another note of his talent in front of the watching Gareth Southgate, Boothroyd does not expect to see him promoted to the senior squad by next season.
“I think his next six months, three months will be an indicator of where he gets to and what he is ready for internationally. But, right now, September-time, I’d imagine he will be with me," he said.
Boothroyd also set out to further justify why he had not picked Foden for the Romania game after his initial point that he was saving him for other games in the tournament was criticised.
The 19-year-old has always had a strong work ethic on the training pitch, but his England coach suggested that too much football could have a detrimental effect.
“He is the hardest player to get off the training pitch that we have got," Boothroyd said. "I literally have to chase him around to get the ball off him and get him in.
“Because he has that youthful exuberance where he wants to play every second, every minute of every game.
“When I looked at him before the (Romania) game, when I picked the team, I was thinking ‘How can we get the best out of this kid in the next five games?’"
He added: “You do (want to start him) but if your best player has a really strong chance of getting injured because of the work that he has done, then no – you don’t.
“It’s all right trying to win the next one but it is a balancing act. I think the fact that [Ryan Sessegnon] pulled his hamstring is a testament to the fine line that you walk.”
