Micah Richards defends Phil Foden and claims he can be England's 'BEST player' at Euro 2024... but Rio Ferdinand argues there are THREE players ahead of him in the pecking order

Micah Richards believes Phil Foden can still be England's best player at Euro 2024.

The pundit claimed that his isolated performance against Serbia was more about the team's decision-making - but argues that he can copy a trait from Jude Belligham to thrive.

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand argued that Foden's England team-mates would rather pass to three other stars - and that the status he has at Manchester City is diminished at international level.

Foden was criticised for a rather anonymous performance as England beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening match as he struggled to impact the game from the left wing. 

'He's frustrated. Phil Foden is the best player in this team in the tight spaces. Get the ball to him as soon as possible,' Richards told BBC Sport ahead of England's match against Denmark. 

'You do not want him in this position, he cannot hurt the opposition in this position [when he is too wide or withdrawn].

'He can do it on the right or on the left. He can make these runs in behind because he's so intelligent. Then it's about putting the ball across, which he can do.

'The key is to play to your best players as quick as possible who can cause the opposition damage, and we're not doing that.

'The difference is when you watch Bellingham, shoulders out. He's demanding it, controlling it, We need Phil Foden to show that personality now and show people how good of a player he is.'

Bellingham was acclaimed as the man of the match for his brilliance against Serbia, scoring a crashing header from a Bukayo Saka cross.

That was the only goal of the game and Bellingham was widely praised for his ability to dictate the tempo.

Ferdinand felt that Foden needs to be more assertive when demanding the ball.

He said: 'I think he's demanding it and shouting after. When someone is on the ball, you've got to be telling them then. When the ball is released and passed he's frustrated and it shows. 

'You've got to be shouting before the ball comes and if it doesn't, go and tell people directly: "Give me the ball."

'Play to your best players in those positions. The team sometimes need to talk about that.

'Teams identify who is your best player and talk about it in the changing rooms and in the games - "get the ball to him". 

'He is that at Man City but he isn't that at England right now. They're playing to Jude first, Harry first, Saka before him.'