Towards the end of last season, Pep Guardiola was giving serious consideration to allowing Phil Foden the chance to fly in the middle of midfield. The role he was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 to play.
It is where he grew up, before being converted into a winger as a teenager while nailing down a spot in this team. Foden performed on both flanks but someone of this generational quality deserves to be at the centre of the action.
A matter of time. Foden knew that, Guardiola telling him to learn what it takes to become a midfielder in one of his sides – specifically when to force issues, when to slow down – and the signs are that now is the moment he plays more regularly in the position that can benefit him, his club and the country.
The Champions League final offered a major case study, Foden introduced after 36 minutes when Kevin De Bruyne tore his hamstring. He ran the game along with John Stones, injecting a liveliness that opened up more room against a stub𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 Inter. Foden will play anywhere, so long as he is on the pitch, but believes the central switch can unlock more of his potential.
‘It’s a role where there’s a lot more to my game,’ he said. ‘I’d be able to show people a lot more of what I can do. I’d be on the ball more, always involved. I think there’s a lot more responsibility in that role.’
Phil Foden is a generational talent who deserves to be at the centre of the action for Man City
Foden has performed well for Pep Guardiola (pictured) on both flanks but a central switch can unlock more of his boundless potential
Foden ran the show for Man City during the Champions League final after coming on to replace the injured Kevin De Bruyne during their 1-0 victory over Italian giants Inter Milan
In Asia over the past week, during victories over Yokohama F. Marinos and Bayern Munich, he has nestled in behind Erling Haaland. The pair have played their two lots of 45 minutes together in a sign that they could start the new season as the main goal threats.
‘Erling’s always got great runs and great movement,’ Foden added. ‘He wants feeding early and in behind as he’s always going to win the race with the defender.
‘It’s about picking up on those things when I’m in there. I’ve not played there for a long time but the more I play there I will get used to it and start learning the role.
‘There are a lot of defensive responsibilities – a lot more things to learn. I played there when I was younger so I feel I can do that role if he wants me there. I’m just looking forward to seeing where he plays me.
‘I think the manager has seen my goal threat and he’s wanted me to play further forward.’
There is probably nobody quite as proficient in tight spaces as Foden which, when opposition sit so deep, is a blessing in areas more crowded than the famous Shibuya crossing City passed by in Tokyo.
Towards the end of their run to the Treble, and after recovering from appendicitis, Foden’s little flicks and inventive five-yard passes showed that him in there presents endless possibilities. How Guardiola finds room for him and De Bruyne, when both are fit, will be very intriguing indeed.
How Guardiola finds room for Foden (left) and De Bruyne in the middle of the park will be intriguing
‘I know I can play anywhere along the front, in midfield as well, I’ll just be ready for whatever the manager wants,’ Foden said. ‘The manager has touched on motivation – saying he hopes we have the same hunger going into the season.
‘It’s a lot more difficult as teams will want to beat you all the more, coming off the back of what we did last season. I feel this season might be challenging but the lads are ready and showing the level we can play at.’
There is not a great deal left for him to achieve. Foden smiled. ‘I don’t know… obviously it would be nice to win something with the national team. For me it’s time to forget about last season. Even though it was great, it’s time to try to win all those trophies again.’
