Former Manchester United Star backs Phil Foden to be on the England World Cup 2026 plane

The Premier League title race already looks like a potential three-horse battle, and if that’s the case, Manchester City will need their star academy graduate to rediscover the heights of his 2023/24 season. Phil Foden showed signs of doing just that in last weekend’s Manchester Derby, where he was involved in two of City’s three goals and delivered a confident, creative display.

It’s still early in his return to top form, but if he can build on that performance, the calls for him to be central to England’s World Cup campaign will only grow louder. For former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe, Foden is undroppable.

“Foden has got to be on the plane for England. He has to. He’s such a good player. Last season he was up and down performance wise but he was carrying injuries. He looks fit and like he’s getting back to his best. I don’t think you can leave Foden out of the squad. He’s too good and offers too much. He has to be in the squad.”

With odds of 2/7 to make it on the plane, you can use our bet365 bonus code if you back Foden to head to North America next summer.

Liverpool remain favourites to retain Premier League title, claims Sharpe

While City push to reclaim the crown, Liverpool are determined to defend it, and their summer spending has made them formidable once again. Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and record signing Alexander Isak have all bolstered Arne Slot’s squad. For Sharpe, that makes the Reds the team to beat.

“Liverpool spent massively and after winning the league, no one was going to bet against them. They’ve started shakily but good sides always find a way to win when they’re not expecting to. They’re top of the league and so they’re favourites.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, remain in the mix but still raise questions.

“Arsenal have looked good in spells but United were the better team at Old Trafford. What I will say is they’ve made some good signings in Eze and Madueke. They’ve got extra options going forward but I’m not sure about Gyokeres.”

And despite Chelsea’s mixed start in both the Premier League and Champions League, Sharpe is not ruling them out.

“Chelsea haven’t started how they would have wanted to. They’re a top class team and they’re strong in a lot of areas. With City you can never write them off. They will gather speed and they have an unbelievable squad.”

“I’m going to go to Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Chelsea in the top four.”

Leeds, relegation battle and Bradford banter

At the other end of the table, Sharpe’s attention also falls on his former club Leeds United, who returned to the Premier League this season. Daniel Farke’s side currently sit 16th with one win, one draw and two defeats from their opening four fixtures.

“I hope that Leeds avoid relegation and I think they’re a Premier League club. The atmosphere and the fans are top tier. They have to be there. The form of West Ham and Brentford will give them hope and encouragement. They need to make Elland Road a fortress and they’ve got every chance of staying up. I think they will do it and stay up.”

And finally, Sharpe couldn’t help but praise another of his old clubs, Bradford City, whose viral “you’re getting pecked by the chickens” chant has garnered online attention.

“I’ve seen the slogan and I like it. I think it’s a great tag and whoever came up with it is a marketing genius. It gets them out there so we hear more about Bradford than we normally would.”

Read more as Lee Sharpe gives his thoughts on Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim's future