Paul Scholes claims Phil Foden is already a ‘better player’ than a Premier League and England legend… as he hails the Man City star for taking his game to ‘another level’ this season

Paul Scholes has praised Phil Foden’s contribution to Manchester City’s title challenge this season, insisting he is already a “better player” than a Premier League legend.

Foden produced a winning performance in the Manchester Derby on Sunday, with the 23-year-old’s brace helping Pep Guardiola’s side come from behind to win 3-1.

The 23-year-old opened his account for the day with a stunning long-range shot to draw his team level, after Marcus Rashford’s spectacular opener, before the England star found the back of the net again in the 80th minute. .

Erling Haaland sealed the latest victory over Manchester United.

Man United legend Scholes joined in the applause for Foden’s performance by comparing the midfielder to Chelsea and England great Frank Lampard.

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Scholes insisted Foden is a better player overall, but believes the Manchester City star has now added the winning qualities Lampard demonstrated throughout his career.

“This season he (Foden) has taken it to a new level, where his goals in important moments are to potentially win league titles,” Scholes said on Premier League Productions.

“That’s when you take your game to another level, he’s still 23 and there’s still a lot to come from him, he’s become a league winner.”

“He is a better footballer than Frank Lampard, but Frank Lampard scored goals and won leagues for his club from midfield.

“You expect the center forwards to do it. Haaland, you only expect his numbers, you expect Michael Owen’s numbers when the team is doing well.

“But from a midfield point of view, you really have to take the game by the throat and say: ‘Right, I’m going to get us back into this game, I’m going to win leagues, I’m going to win us games.’

“I think Frank Lampard was like that and I think Phil Foden is starting to do that, goals-wise.

“Phil Foden is a much better footballer than Frank Lampard, don’t get me wrong, but Frank won leagues for his team thanks to his contribution in midfield, especially in big games.”

Foden has scored 18 goals in 40 games in all competitions this season, including 11 in the Premier League.

Scholes’ comparison is high praise: Lampard, a three-time title winner, is the sixth top scorer in Premier League history with 177 goals, the best tally by a midfielder.

Manchester City’s victory in the derby kept Pep Guardiola’s side within one point of leaders Liverpool heading into the clash, with Foden hoping to secure a sixth league title since breaking into the first-team set-up.

Guardiola has hailed Foden as the Premier League’s best player this season, before claiming his ability to lead games at decisive moments reminds him of a young Messi.