Lionel Messi. Andres Iniesta. Robert Lewandowski. The rich list of world-class players that Pep Guardiola had coached before joining Manchester City was simply astonishing.
And yet, three years after drafting his move to the Etihad, Guardiola shocked world football by claiming that Phil Foden (then a teenager who had yet to break into City’s regular starting XI) was the most talented player he had ever seen. had witnessed.
“The most talented player I have ever seen in my life,” Guardiola said of Foden in 2019. “His only problem is that sometimes his coach doesn’t put him in the starting eleven.” Hopefully in the future this can improve.”
Five years later, Guardiola’s prophetic comments have materialized. Foden is the main man for Manchester City, who led the Premier League giants to a record fourth consecutive title, and is a heavy favorite for the PFA Player of the Year award.
A well-scored double against Brighton on Thursday took the City superstar’s goal total to 24 in all competitions and moved last season’s treble winners to within a point of leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand.
Phil Foden (above) has quickly become Pep Guardiola’s main man at Manchester City this season.
The England star has scored 24 goals in all competitions and is leading City to a stunning fourth consecutive Premier League title, a feat that has never been achieved before.
The 23-year-old superstar opened up in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport last week.
Foden has flourished since being handed the keys at the top of Manchester City’s star-studded midfield, emerging as a major goal threat capable of featuring in the biggest games.
While his assist figures have remained largely the same season after season, Foden’s goal tally has skyrocketed since taking up more advanced positions on the pitch. Of those who do not take penalties for their respective teams, only Ollie Watkins has scored more goals in the Premier League than the England international.
Foden spoke about his journey at Manchester City from ball boy to key player during an exclusive interview with Mail Sport’s IAN LADYMAN last week.
“It’s been difficult at times, you know, being the City fan who was a ball boy and then moving up to the first team,” Foden explained.
‘I don’t think that will ever really change, you know? A little bit of that feeling will always be there. But now I have balance. Maybe it’s finally gone this year, I don’t know.
‘The challenge for me was always a mountain to climb to even make it to the first team. In my head I just wanted to make an appearance at this club and be able to say I had achieved it.
“But once I did it I thought, ‘No, I can really play here.’ I can handle the standard.”
“Now I’m at that stage where I feel like a key player on the team. I feel very comfortable with that.”
Despite frequently cutting and changing his luxury team, Guardiola always seems to have one player he perceives as his main man.
Last season, Erling Haaland only missed three Premier League games and two Champions League games on his way to the Treble.
Think back to the previous season, when pundits questioned City’s ruthlessness before signing a renowned striker, and De Bruyne was Guardiola’s trusted key man, continually called upon to play all attacking roles, from false nine to middle quarterback.
Until recently, Julián Álvarez seemed to be that permanent feature of Manchester City’s attack, starting every Premier League match under Guardiola until February. The Argentine, who has still had a wonderful season, was not selected against title rivals Arsenal in March, and his recent return is due to Haaland’s absence through injury.
But Foden’s electric form and impressive goal tally, which includes two stunning hat-tricks against Brentford and Aston Villa, have made the 23-year-old star unstoppable in Guardiola’s eyes. He has started 29 of City’s 33 league games so far, and has only been benched in games against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Luton and Sheffield United.
Guardiola (left), who in 2019 called Foden the most talented player he has ever coached despite managing Lionel Messi, has modified his tactics to get the best out of his star.
Foden celebrates after scoring in Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Brighton on Thursday night.
But perhaps most importantly, Foden has delivered for Guardiola on the biggest occasions. His stunning second-half equalizer against Real Madrid in the Champions League matched his overall sublime performance that night. Even though City crashed out later in the second leg, it was a moment that showed Foden could perform at an elite level.
Stretching the field and taking advantage of width has always been a characteristic of Guardiola’s tactics. By forcing the opposition to go outside, the Spanish coach seeks to create as much space as possible in the midfield for his playmakers to operate, which is why players such as Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have enjoyed success in Manchester City. machine room.
The role of players deployed wide is to draw players in and create space rather than directly contributing with goals and assists.
Jack Grealish, for example, is an expert at this, despite struggling to stay fit to his usual high standards this season.
Last season, to accommodate Haaland in the middle, Foden was often asked to play this role on the right flank, mirroring Grealish on the left, rather than moving into more central areas. As a result, his goal threat was hampered.
Some tactical adjustments this season have freed up Foden and given him license to roam more freely.
Firstly, Kyle Walker has played a more advanced role this season, overlapping on the right side to support the attack, while Josko Gvardiol or Nathan Ake sit further back in the left-back position to maintain shape in defence.
Walker’s marauding runs allow Foden or Bernardo Silva (who also frequently lines up on the right wing) to cut inside and overload the half-spaces between the defense and opposition midfield, an area where City continually wreak havoc.
Furthermore, since the arrival of a true target striker like Haaland, De Bruyne has more reason to float to the right flank during the build-up, occasionally overlapping on the flanks to fire one of his trademark crosses into the penalty area.
When these two play alongside him, Foden can focus on dominating the midfield, where he is undoubtedly most devastating for City, rather than maintaining width on the right side.
The England international has featured in Manchester City’s biggest moments this season, earning a shock draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League last month.
England manager Gareth Southgate will rely heavily on Foden at European Championship
After climbing to new heights with Man City, Gareth Southgate and England will be hoping Foden improves his game on the international stage at this summer’s European Championship, with the 23-year-old almost set to start for the Three Lions in Germany.
Foden’s next test will be against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with title favorites City still under pressure to win every game due to Arsenal’s rampant form.
Foden’s form will undoubtedly have a seismic impact on the title race.