As Phil Foden struggles for England, five world-class stars who failed to deliver on the international stage

Jack Otway
Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:27:10 +0000

Phil Foden is currently in the spotlight, with the England international struggling during recent friendly matches with Uruguay and Japan.

For all his talent, the 25-year-old remains a shadow of his usual self on the international stage - with his place at this summer's World Cup now in jeapordary as a result.

Foden has undeniable talent, having played a starring role in Manchester City's dominance of the Premier League in recent years.

But with England well-stocked in his position, and with regular game time hard to come by at the Etihad Stadium, he faces the unwanted prospect of watching this summer's event from home.

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Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Foden could miss out, admitting that 'it's not a guarantee that he will come.'

Foden is, however, far from alone. Many top talents have struggled in an England shirt over the years, irrespective of their achievements at club level.

GB News will now take a look at five others who never quite seemed comfortable in international colours.

Paul Scholes

Widely regarded by his continental peers as one of the best midfielders of his generation, Paul Scholes remains England’s greatest wasted resource.

At Manchester United, he was the heartbeat of Sir Alex Ferguson's swashbuckling side, regularly improving the level of the players around him.

For England, however, he was frequently shunted to the left wing to accommodate the unsuccessful Frank Lampard-Steven Gerrard axis, a tactical move that spectacularly backfired.

Disillusioned by a setup that failed to harness his remarkable ability, Scholes retired from international football at just 29, leaving England to wonder what might have been had they built the team around him.

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Glenn Hoddle

In an era of English football defined by physicality, Glenn Hoddle was an elegant anomaly.

Possessing a range of passing and a delightful touch that felt more Brazilian than British, Hoddle was often viewed with suspicion by a succession of England managers who preferred industry over artistry.

Despite 53 caps, he was rarely given the keys to the midfield in the way he was at Tottenham or Monaco.

He was ultimately a "flair player" in a system that demanded soldiers.

John Barnes

During the late 1980s, John Barnes was arguably the most exhilarating winger in world football, a powerhouse of grace and skill who spearheaded Liverpool’s dominance.

Yet, his England career is frequently cited as the ultimate example of the "international underperformer."

Aside from his iconic solo goal against Brazil in 1984 and a vital cameo in the 1986 World Cup, Barnes often looked like a shadow of his Anfield self in an England shirt.

Hamstrung by rigid tactical systems and, at times, a hostile home crowd, he never consistently replicated the talismanic brilliance that made him a legend on Merseyside.

Bryan Robson

Bryan Robson, nicknamed 'Captain Marvel' was the undisputed engine of Manchester United, a box-to-box phenomenon who possessed the rare ability to dominate every blade of grass.

While he was undoubtedly world-class - a player of such tactical importance that Sir Bobby Robson called him 'irreplaceable' - his England legacy is defined more by 'what if' than 'what was.'

Robson’s career coincided with a period where he was the national team's most vital component, yet his body repeatedly betrayed him on the grandest stages.

Crucial injuries in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups robbed England of their talisman just as they reached their peak.

Frank Lampard

Lampard retired as one of the greatest goal-scoring midfielders in the history of the sport.

At Chelsea, he was their undisputed midfield talisman of a trophy-laden era.

For England, however, he became the face of the 'Golden Generation’s' failure to click.

Despite 106 caps and 29 goals, Lampard’s international career was overshadowed by the inability of various managers to find a balance between him and Gerrard.

Often forced into a cautious, disciplined role that stifled his natural predatory instincts, Lampard’s England tenure never lived up to the billing.