Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has drawn a parallel between Phil Foden and former United flop Juan Sebastian Veron. Ferdinand believes Foden needs to be more assertive and demanding on the pitch if he wants to excel for England at Euro 2024. Ferdinand’s comparison stems from Veron’s time at United, where despite being a highly talented player, he struggled to adapt to the team’s dynamics. Ferdinand believes that Foden, like Veron, needs to assert himself more to get the best out of his abilities. Ferdinand’s comments came after Foden’s underwhelming performance in England’s opening Euro 2024 game against Serbia. Despite being named Premier League Player of the Year last season, Foden failed to make a significant impact on the game. Ferdinand emphasized that Foden needs to take ownership on the pitch, demanding the ball and dominating his teammates to create space for himself. He believes that Foden has the potential to be a standout player but needs to show more assertiveness to reach his full potential. Ferdinand’s comparison highlights the importance of character and mentality in football. While technical ability is essential, players who truly excel possess a strong sense of self-belief and the ability to impose themselves on the game. Foden has the talent, but it remains to be seen if he can develop the mindset necessary to become a world-class performer.