If these were the Tuchel trials, Foden - among others - failed

Image source, Getty ImagesByPhil McNultyChief football writer at WembleyPublished1 hour ago281 CommentsPhil Foden's World Cup audition ended painfully with the consoling arm of England head coach Thomas Tuchel around his shoulder.

The 25-year-old's face was a picture of hurt, primarily from a dreadful challenge by Uruguay defender Ronald Araujo that left him clutching his ankle, but also after a display that left his chances of making the cut for this summer's showpiece in the balance.

The Manchester City forward was given the opportunity to strike first in the fight for a fiercely competitive number 10 position as he started ahead of Chelsea's Cole Palmer.

Instead, Foden failed to make any impact, suffering in an over-crowded area against a gifted and uncompromising Uruguay side, often forced to drop deep to little effect in this 1-1 draw.

The worst-case scenario is he may have missed his last big chance to force his way to the forefront of Tuchel's thoughts as he finalises his World Cup plans.

Palmer, meanwhile, delivered a lively cameo in which he fashioned a glorious chance which substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin somehow headed wide from six yards, and then set up Ben White's goal with a corner.

Foden is currently fighting on two fronts, to secure a regular place in City's team under Pep Guardiola, as well as reviving an England career which has lost momentum.

He has started 21 out of City's 30 Premier League games this season, but his form has faded following a bright start.

Foden needed a big performance against Uruguay to make an impression in areas of the team where Tuchel has plenty of quality to choose from.

It did not happen. He was peripheral at best.

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Published3 hours agoFoden was uncharacteristically subdued, with Tuchel saying: "We put him into place as we were aware of the midfield three of Uruguay, they change a lot of the positions.

"In moments, I thought he could be a bit more adventurous and could be a bit more like a number 10 and try a little bit more stuff and take a bit more risk."

He was unable to exert his influence in forward positions, although this untidy scrap of a friendly against Marcelo Bielsa's side was hardly the stage for creativity to flourish.

Foden did deserve a measure of sympathy, however, because he was very fortunate to avoid serious injury in the aftermath of a reckless challenge from Araujo that went unpunished.

Palmer's bright show only emphasised Foden's struggle - and now he must wait to see if he gets another opportunity.

Foden, for all his brilliant talent and success with City, has often resembled a square peg in a round hole for England, pushed to the wider margins to accommodate Jude Bellingham, as happened at Euro 2024.

Tuchel now has options in the central area behind the striker, the role Foden favours, as well as on the left flank, where he has been used in the past.

Real Madrid's Bellingham and Morgan Rogers - with the Villa man's excellence for club and country giving Tuchel a genuine choice - appear to be locked in a straight fight at number 10.

And Palmer has shown what he can offer as an alternative. He did it in flashes at Wembley and has done so for England in the past, particularly when scoring in the losing Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin.

Marcus Rashford was lively against Uruguay, while Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon currently appears favourite to start in that position at the World Cup, with Arsenal forward Noni Madueke also comfortable on both flanks.

Tuchel has spoken about Foden as an unorthodox deputy for captain Harry Kane as a central striker, but this would surely be too much of a stretch. The World Cup is no place for wild experiments.

It all leaves Foden as one of the players whose place on the plane to the United States is uncertain, wondering if a big opportunity had passed him by against Uruguay.

England's struggle to impose themselves on Uruguay meant it was a testing night for those wanting to impress.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire made the most of his recall in defence with a solid display, capped by two brave, crucial blocks in the closing stages as Uruguay pressed for an unlikely winner.

He is now a serious contender for the squad, especially with fitness doubts continuing to surround John Stones. Tuchel may also find Maguire's experience at major tournaments crucial.

James Trafford had little to do on his debut in goal, while another making his first full appearance, Everton's James Garner, was tidy and made a good impression. Whether it is enough for a World Cup place is another matter.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke worked hard in attack as he pressed his claim to be understudy to Kane, but Leeds United's Calvert-Lewin - whose last appearance was five years ago - will bitterly regret his missed opportunity with the scoreline goalless.

England's fans - certainly a large number of them - made their views clear on the Arsenal defender's decision to return to international football following his self-imposed exile after an early departure from the 2022 World Cup.

There were loud jeers when he came on as a 69th minute substitute, although they were replaced by cheers when he stabbed home from virtually on the goalline to put England ahead 12 minutes later.

Just when it looked like the evening's pantomime villain would be an unlikely match-winner, White was penalised for a lunge on Federico Vinas in stoppage time. A penalty was awarded after a video assistant referee (VAR) check, with Federico Valverde completing the formalities in the 94th minute.

This was hardly a case of White going under the radar on his highly publicised return - a first England appearance since he played against the Ivory Coast in March 2022.

The scenery now moves on to England's next Wembley friendly against Japan on Tuesday, with the lingering feeling this might have been a more profitable night for the World Cup hopes of those who did not play, rather than those who did.

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