Phil Foden has flourished under Pep Guardiola’s new tactics, asserted himself on the biggest occasions and scored his best ever goal tally… how the England star went from supporting role to Man City’s main man
Lionel Messi. Andres Iniesta. Robert Lewandowski. The rich list of world-class players that Pep Guardiola had coached before joining Manchester City was simply astounding.
And yet, three years after signing 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 player the most talented he has ever seen.
“The most talented player I have ever seen,” Guardiola said of Foden in 2019. “His only problem is that sometimes his manager doesn’t put him in the starting XI. I hope that at the In the future, this may improve.
Five years later, Guardiola’s prophetic comments have come to fruition. Foden is Manchester City’s leading man, propelling the Premier League giants to a record fourth consecutive title and hot favorite for PFA Player of the Year.
A well-taken brace against Brighton on Thursday took the City superstar’s goal tally to 24 in all competitions and put last season’s Treble winners 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 pushing City to an astonishing 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 to the top of Manchester City’s star-studded midfield, becoming a significant goal threat capable of appearing in the biggest matches.
While his assist numbers have largely remained the same season after season, Foden’s goal tally has skyrocketed since he took up more advanced positions on the pitch. Of those not taking penalties for their respective teams, only Ollie Watkins has scored more Premier League goals than the England international.
Foden spoke about his journey at Manchester City from ball boy to key player in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport’s IAN LADYMAN last week.
“It was difficult at times, you know, being a City fan who was a ball boy and then coming through the levels to the first team,” Foden explained.
“I don’t think it’ll ever really change, you know? A little bit of that feeling will always be there. But I have balance now. Maybe it’s finally gone this year, I don’t know.
“The challenge for me has always been a mountain to climb to even reach the first team. In my head, I just wanted to make an appearance at this club and be able to say I did it.
“But once I did that, I thought, ‘No, I can actually play here.’ I can handle the standard.
“Now I’m at this stage where I feel like I’m a key player in the team. I feel very comfortable with that.
Although he frequently chops and changes his luxury squad, Guardiola always seems to have one player he perceives as his main man.
Last season, Erling Haaland missed just three Premier League matches and two Champions League matches en route to the treble.
Think back to the previous season, when pundits questioned City’s ruthlessness before signing a recognized striker, and De Bruyne was Guardiola’s trusted key man, continually called upon to play every attacking role from false nine to quarterback -back of midfield.
Until recently, Julian Alvarez seemed to be that permanent fixture in Manchester City’s attack, starting every Premier League game under Guardiola until February. The Argentine, who has had a wonderful season himself, was then not selected against rivals Arsenal in March – and his recent return was the result of 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 unbeatable in Guardiola’s eyes. He has started 29 of City’s 33 league matches so far, having only featured against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Luton and Sheffield United.
Guardiola (left), who in 2019 called Foden the most talented player he had ever coached despite being coached by Lionel Messi, has tweaked his tactics to get the most out of his star.
Foden celebrates after scoring in Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Brighton on Thursday evening
But perhaps more importantly, Foden has delivered for Guardiola on the biggest occasions. His superb second-half equalizer against Real Madrid in the Champions League matched his sublime overall performance of the evening. Despite City falling later in the second leg, it was a moment that proved Foden could deliver at an elite level.
Stretching the pitch and using width has always been a hallmark of Guardiola’s tactics. By forcing the opposition out, the Spanish boss looks to create as much space as possible in midfield for his playmakers to operate, which is why Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan have all struggled. success at Man City. the engine room.
The role of those deployed out wide is to attract players and create space rather than contributing directly with goals and assists.
Jack Grealish, for example, is an expert at this, although he has struggled to match his usual high standards this season.
During the last campaign, in order to accommodate Haaland in the middle, Foden was often asked to play this role on the right flank, like Grealish on the left, rather than drifting towards more central areas. As a result, his goal threat was hampered.
A few tactical tweaks this season have freed up Foden and allowed him to move more freely.
Firstly, Kyle Walker has played a more advanced role this season, slotting in on the right side to support the attack, while Josko Gvardiol or Nathan Ake sit deeper at left back to stay fit in defense.
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 opposition defense and midfield, a area in which City continually wreak havoc.
Additionally, since the arrival of a true target striker in Haaland, De Bruyne has more reason to float on the right wing during the build-up, occasionally overlapping on the flanks in order to deliver one of his trademark crosses in the penalty area.
When these two play alongside him, Foden is able to focus on dominating the center of the pitch – where he is undoubtedly more devastating to City – rather than maintaining width on the right side.
The England international has been part of Man City’s biggest moments this season, scoring a stunning equalizer against Real Madrid in the Champions League last month.
England manager Gareth Southgate to rely heavily on Foden at European Championships
After reaching new heights with Man City, Gareth Southgate and England will be hoping Foden raises his game on the international stage at this summer’s European Championships, with the 23-year-old almost starting for the Three Lions in Germany.
The next test for Foden is on Sunday against Nottingham Forest, 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.
