'That's not how we work' - Gareth Southgate explains position plan for Man City star Phil Foden

Gareth Southgate offered no guarantees that Phil Foden will play at number ten for England this summer - but is not concerned over where the Manchester City ace plays.

Foden capped a sensational season with a brilliant brace on the final day to fire City to the Premier League title, in a competition where he had just been crowned Player of the Season to go with his Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. His best performances have come from a number ten position, although most of his campaign has been spent out wide, drifting inside as a second number ten.

With each passing performance, Foden has cemented himself as a favourite to start for England at this summers' European Championship. Southgate has resisted calls to play him centrally until he plays there regularly for City, but even that might not secure a spot at number ten.

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"Phil has played off the right or the left or in the middle. The key for Phil is where he ends up, not his starting position," Southgate explained.

"When he starts on the left with City, he sometimes stays wide but is sometimes allowed to drift. Then it's about how you defend. Jude [Bellingham] has played as a ten but sometimes defends on the left wing for Real Madrid.

"We never pin our players to a touchline, that's not how we work. There is that freedom. It's obvious how brilliant Phil has been. You want him in those central areas. It's about finding the best way to make that happen."

Foden is one of four City players who are in the provisional England squad, along with Kyle Walker, John Stones