Manchester City manager delighted with the midfielder’s impressive form
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is at his most dangerous when playing centrally, manager Pep Guardiola has said.
Foden had an impressive performance against League One side Huddersfield on Wednesday night, scoring one and assisting the other as Manchester City progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win.
“When Phil plays in that position behind the strikers, he’s a real threat,” said Guardiola.
“We’ve already seen Phil in a few games when the team play better, when every player makes his potential. But it’s not just today, against Arsenal, United and Napoli he was really good.
“Close to the box, I think he plays in the pockets perfectly. He plays a little bit freer and close to the box he can do something that is unique.”
Foden’s goal against Huddersfield came when he played a quick give-and-go with academy youngster Divine Mukasa around the penalty arc, before driving a shot into the bottom right corner of goal.
His assist was also in the same position. Collecting the ball just inside the penalty arc, he twisted in a tight space and punched a pass to Savinho, who then did incredible work to convert from an acute angle.
Against Napoli in the Champions League he provided a delightful assist for Erling Haaland when he received the ball, again inside the penalty arc, and then lifted an exquisite through-ball over the head of the defenders towards his teammate, who then converted with a header.
Foden eventually came off in the 77th minute at the Accu Stadium, but Guardiola said the plan had been to remove him much earlier in order to give him some rest.
“We would have liked to score a second goal and make the substitutions before for Nico O’Reilly and Phil because they played a tough game against Arsenal,” said City’s manager.
“But they are young. They have good vitamins during the days, good food, good protein and yeah, now come back to Manchester to prepare [for Burnley].”
