Why ‘Stockport Iniesta’ Phil Foden is destined for greatness
As a19-year-old Stockport native Phil Foden continues his ascent into the Manchester City first team, he has already received some of the highest praise in recent memory for a young player from some of the biggest names in English football.
"He has everything to become one of the best players,” City boss Pep Guardiola said via MARCA. “I have said many times in press conferences, but maybe not said it in front of him, Phil [Foden] is the most, most, most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager.”"
Despite not even having 20 Premier League appearances to his name, Phil Foden is already a special figure around the Etihad Stadium. For perhaps the first time in Manchester City’s recent surge to the top of English football, a truly special youth academy graduate, a player City supporters can call ‘one of their own’ looks ready to ascend onto the stage of Premier League stardom.
Once just a ball boy at the Etihad Stadium during City’s 1-0 Manchester Derby win in a 2012 season where the Citizens would go on to lift their first Premier League title in dramatic fashion, Foden is now being touted as the most talented player ever coached by legendary manager Pep Guardiola. It does bear mentioning that Guardiola has managed Lionel Messi, regarded by many as the greatest player in the history of football.
Foden has already proven himself at the youth levels for both club and country. Having won the Golden Ball as the best player in England’s U-17 World Cup victory in 2017, he truly possesses all of the requisite talent to emerge as one of the next generation’s truly special players.
Although he has faced some trouble breaking into one of the best senior squads in world football, the fact that he is knocking on the door of the City first team as a 19-year old speaks to his quality and world-class potential.
As a smaller left-footed player with a silky touch, incredible eye for passing the ball, and great creativity, Foden has already been likened by one of the Premier League’s other great coaches to Manchester City legend and current club captain David Silva.
"“He’s a player that can be similar to David Silva,” Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said via the Manchester Evening News. “He has the characteristics of a number eight with a lot of good quality to play with the number nine and he can score, he can shoot, he has the capacity to read games and find space, to create openings for goals. He is a very clever player.”"
Although coaches clearly recognize and admire Foden’s talent, the level of praise and hype surrounding the young Englishman extends to his peers on the pitch.
"“He is a huge talent,” Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva said to Onefootball. “If he keeps working as hard as he does and his mentality is good, he will be one of the best midfielders in the world in one or two years.”"
Foden’s continued development and ascent to Premier League stardom should excite both City and English fans alike. Under Guardiola’s tutelage at a club like City, there is no reason to believe that Foden will not fulfil his world-class potential.
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At just 19, Foden is already making waves because he is a special talent. However, more than just his ability, his connection with City supporters and the area of Greater Manchester, in general, makes him something truly unique that could be at the heart of great City teams in the years to come: a star that’s Manchester’s own.