There is one thing evident from the Spanish defeat in the Uefa Nations League and the friendly victory over Switzerland is that England is lacking the creativity in midfield to go all the way in the future.
There is no doubt that talent is there and coming through in the youth ranks, with Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, James Maddison and Ryan Sessegnon all pushing for a regular place in their club teams in hopes to push Fabian Delph, Reuben Loftus-Cheek and Jesse Lingard out of England team.
There is one player on quality alone that should be bred into the squad at the earliest opportunity and that player is Phil Foden. A player with immense talent has shown he can unlock defences and control games at international youth level, the question is can he do at senior level?
There was much speculation prior to Gareth Southgate announcing his squad for the September games that the Stockport-born youngster would be in the squad, alongside former City youth product, Jadon Sancho.
It was not meant to be as the England manager chose to stick to his tried and tested in a more familiar World Cup squad. It was no surprise.
It was no surprise for Manchester United and England legend, Bryan Robson, either as he feels the inclusion of Foden will come too soon.
The midfielder is yet to become a first-team regular, even in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, after featuring only once from substitutes bench in club colours against Huddersfield this season.
That is the sole reason why he should not be in the England squad despite calls from Manchester City fans wanting him to replace a number of players in a similar position.
It should always be of the view that you need to earn your England cap, a privilege for all the hard work given throughout the season and the form displayed in these games.
Hard work, ups and downs to get to that point have yet to be made to grow the player as person and a footballer.
You can’t do that on only six appearances in the Premier League. He will get his chance as his talent is all there to see and will potentially grow into England’s greatest midfielder when the time is right.
He will have to grow in youth squad for the time being and hopefully that experience with players of his own age group will push him on further.
The word from the England set-up is that management wants to keep the Under-17 squad together and progress the majority of them together, something which will ensure a more cohesive squad and plan for the long-term.
So patience is the key with 18-year-old, particularly when the international breaks come around.
The question should be a matter of when, rather than if, will we see Phil Foden in a Three Lions shirt.