Phil Foden admits that England are feeling confident ahead of the quarter-finals (Picture: Getty)
Phil Foden has sent a warning to England’s World Cup quarter-final opponents France ahead of Saturday’s showdown in Qatar.
The Three Lions produced a dominant 3-0 victory over African champions Senegal on Sunday and will next face Didier Deschamps’ side.
France won the World Cup in 2018 and with Kylian Mbappe currently leading the Golden Boot race, Foden knows that England are in for a tricky game.
But Gareth Southgate’s team are full of confidence having now scored 12 goals across four games and have kept three clean sheets in that time too.
‘We are going to celebrate tonight but it is knockout football now so we will have to recover and then think about the next opponent,’ Foden told ITV.
‘Senegal went man to man and were very physical but it was about biding our time and keeping the ball moving more.
‘I don’t want to big [Jude Bellingham] up too much because he is still young but he’s one of the most gifted players I have ever seen.
‘He has no weakness in his game. I think he will be the best midfielder in the world.
‘[France] look like the strongest in the competition up to now. [But] we back ourselves every day and we are confident.’
England captain Harry Kane also spoke to ITV after the victory and heaped praise on Foden as well as Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham.
‘Yeah, [they were] brilliant,’ Kane said. ‘All three of them today had big parts in the goals. That’s what we need.
‘We have a great mixture of youth and experience now. Another knockout win, and over the years it has not been easy for England.
‘To win 3-0, it is a really great night. We’ll enjoy this one, but our focus turns straight to that [game against France].
‘It’s going to be a really tough game, they’re the reining champions, but you know it will be a good battle. We will recover nicely now then get ready for the game.’
MORE : Harry Kane proves he is England’s man for the big occasion yet again
MORE : Rampant England have nothing to fear against France despite Kylian Mbappe masterclass
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