Phil Foden was only bettered by Brazil’s Ronaldo after an assist as Gary Neville draws the comparison between Paul Gascoigne and John Barnes and Roy Keane gets lyrical

Phil Foden is quickly establishing himself as one of the most influential young players in World Cup history.

The Manchester City star had to be patient for his chance under Gareth Southgate in Qatar but has certainly made up for lost time in his last two matches.

As well as scoring a goal in the 3-0 win over Wales, Foden provided an assist in that game which earned him a place in the starting XI in the last 16 clash against the Senegal.

As England won again 3-0, the 22-year-old grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and provided another assist for Bukayo Saka, his second in the competition so far.

Foden is now the second-youngest player (22 years and 190 days) to provide two assists in a World Cup knockout game since 1966, after Brazil legend Ronaldo, who netted two against Denmark in 1998 at the age of 21 years and 284 days.

With England now in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Foden will be looking to make his mark in the latter stages of the competition, which Gary Neville and Roy Keane believe he is fully capable of.

Speaking about Foden ahead of the game, Neville told ITV Sport: “I’m trying to think of a player in the last 20 or 30 years that I’ve played with who can take the ball on the half-turn, get past someone with acceleration while keeping his head up to release it at the right time and it’s Paul Gascoigne, he’s the only player.

“John Barnes could do it, but you’re talking about that level.

“If we don’t make Phil Foden a project for England, we might as well all get on with it. It’s something sensational and he also has that little devilish side to him which is absolutely essential.”

Keane added: “He definitely has an advantage over him. He’s had problems with England before and Southgate in Iceland so he has an edge that all top players have and he’s consistent.

“It affects the games he played at Man City, one of the best teams in the world.

“You look at the trophies he has won and he affects games.

“I’m going back to Gareth and he’s got some classy issues integrating these players into his squad, but he has to find the right balance, of course.”

Keane added: “He brings high standards and expects to win football games.”