City's Foden earns U21 call up

18 year old Phil Foden has been selected by manager Aidy Boothroyd for the England U21 squad for the first time this month, after impressing during his few outings for current Premier League champions Manchester City so far this campaign.  In particular, Foden was City's star man in their 3-0 win away to Oxford United in the Carabao Cup at the end of September, albeit within a lesser strength Manchester City starting XI, as the youngster even notched his first goal for his boyhood club to cap off an impressive individual display. 

In his press conference after the squad announcement, Boothroyd spoke about his decision to include 18 year old Foden saying: "Phil has got great respect from us. He's another player we want to push through and we can see him playing in the senior team but he's got to prove himself with us. He is a massive talent."

Boothroyd continued; "We want him to get games and the more he gets the better he'll become. He's also training with the best players in the world and the current champions. He is going to get a great education at Manchester City." Foden became the youngest ever player to win the Premier League last season, as the then 17 year old  played a squad role in Manchester City's record breaking 100 point title campaign. 

Foden has been joined by fellow young guns Reiss Nelson, on loan at Hoffenheim from Arsenal, and Harvey Barns, currently on loan at West Bromwich Albion from Leicester City; the duo join the Manchester City starlet as U21 first timers.

Boothroyd had words of encouragement for the young trio following the announcement of their inclusion, stating; "It's up to Harvey, Reiss and Phil to show they can stay in the squad. It makes it hard for me to decide who to pick."

The three young stars have been included for the U21's final two European Championship qualifiers, against Andorra and Scotland, with Aidy Boothroyd's side only needing one point to qualify for the tournament next year.  England currently sit top of Group 4, six points clear of next opponents Scotland, and Ukraine in third place, ahead of these upcoming fixtures.

Boss Boothroyd needed to reinforce the squad following the loss of both James Maddison and Mason Mount, who received their first call ups to the England senior side this week, while the Young Lions are also without Demarai Gray who misses out with an ankle injury.