Thomas Frank names surprise choice for England's most likely next Ballon d'Or winner

Brentford manager Thomas Frank has had his say on who could be England's next Ballon d'Or winner.

England were the first nation to have a Ballon d'Or winner, with the legendary Stanley Matthews collecting the inaugural prize in 1956.

Bobby Charlton was the next Englishman to win the gong a decade later, before Kevin Keegan picked up the award back-to-back in 1978 and 1979.

Michael Owen was England's last Ballon d'Or winner back in 2001 despite the plethora of talents who have played at the highest level since then.

Currently, Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham has been tipped to England's next Ballon d'Or winner - while Harry Kane is always in with a shout given the amount of goals he scores.

But Frank, who manages England striker Ivan Toney, believes Manchester City star Phil Foden is the closest to reaching those dizzying heights.

Speaking ahead of Brentford's trip to City on Tuesday night, Frank said: "Phil Foden is a very good player. For me he's the closest I think England get to potentially getting a Ballon d’Or winner in the future.

"I think he's got that potential to get to that level. I think he influenced the game in so many ways last game - he got on end of three situations and scored three goals.

"He is very good at dribbling, can slide people in and works very hard. He seems to have a good mentality from the outside."

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Foden scored a hat-trick against Brentford in the reverse fixture at the Gtech Stadium on 5 February.

He has arguably been City's best player this season, with 15 goals and 10 assists in all competitions.

The 23-year-old has been capped 31 times for England, though it's widely accepted that his best form in a Three Lions shirt is yet to come.

Image: Getty

City currently find themselves four points behind league leaders Liverpool following a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday.

The champions can close the gap to one if they win their game in hand against the Bees.