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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Barney Ronay at Hampden Park

A cunning plan for Gareth: just keep picking Bellingham and Foden

Phil Foden celebrates scoring against Scotland
Phil Foden seems to play through lighter air. Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty Images

How about this for a plan from this point on, however long the dog days of late Gareth England might last, no matter how powerful the temptation to keep it tight and win on the details? Nine times out of 10, just pick Bellingham and Foden. The 10th time, think about it, weigh the options, the need for caution and control and then just pick Bellingham and Foden again.

Sometimes talent ends the argument. And while it would of course be wrong to read too much into a lo-fi early-season nothing-game against moderate opponents, at times you simply have to believe the evidence of your eyes.

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