Champions League final to highlight budding English stars

The Champions League final may be a showcase of the world’s best players, but it also puts the focus on two English stars ready to win a major international trophy.

The clash between Manchester City and Chelsea in the all-English Champions League final will feature players from across the planet on both rosters.

Some of the world’s best players are featured in the Premier League, although this year’s final also places the spotlight on two English midfielders ready to finally win a major international trophy.

Man City’s Phil Foden and Chelsea’s Mason Mount will do battle in Porto come Saturday, two budding stars and some of the best talent to come out of England in nearly a generation.

Both Foden and Mount are expected to start and could very well be the reason why their respective clubs will be celebrating by game’s end.

“When you are 20 years old it’s different to when you are 28, but now his priority in life is just one: to play football. The rest, he doesn’t care. He forgets mistakes immediately,” Man City manager Pep Guardiola said of Foden in an interview with UEFA.com. “He can do ten things very badly and then, for the 11th, he’s going to take the risk and he’s going to do well. That’s why at this age, he’s able to play in this team.”

Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel had similar things to say about the 22-year-old Mount’s abilities.

“It’s outstanding and it makes him special, to be capable of playing so consistently and producing performances at this level so consistently,” Tuchel told Chelsea’s official website. “It’s very special because he’s very young and he never seems to be distracted too much from praise and critics.”

Foden has played in 49 games in all competitions this season, scoring 16 goals and adding 10 assists. Mount, meanwhile, has played in 53 matches, tallying nine goals and recording eight assists. Both players are key members of their teams’ midfield and attack plan, especially Foden who is often a left-winger not afraid to shoot on goal.

Man City will be trying to win their first Champions League in club history, while Chelsea previously won the continental title in 2012. While the sides are evenly matched, CBS Sports predicted that Manchester City would emerge with a 2-1 victory thanks to a Foden goal.

Foden and Mount were also recently called up by England manager Gareth Southgate to be a part of his 33-man provisional roster ahead of the European Championship, scheduled to start on June 11. England is one of the favorites for the title. Both Foden and Mount are likely to play together at the Euros.

For now, however, they are adversaries. Either way, these players represent a win for the English game.