LONDON – At 23, Phil Foden already has a personal trophy cabinet that would be the envy of most clubs throughout their existence.
He underlined his growing influence at Manchester City with a superb hat-trick in the 3-1 win at Brentford on Feb 5.
In the six years since making his debut as a waif-like 17-year-old, Foden has a Champions League, five English Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Club World Cup and 31 England caps.
Throughout that time, he has had spells on the sidelines as City’s production line of superstar midfielders took precedence, often leaving him as something of a peripheral figure on the flanks.
However, this season, in the lengthy absence of Kevin de Bruyne, he has really stepped up to a new level.
Often playing more centrally, as he did on Feb 5, he is having more influence, for longer, on games and looking an ever-more accomplished finisher.
His three goals, coming after Neal Maupay had put Brentford ahead, were a masterclass in movement, touch and poise when it mattered most, rewarding manager Pep Guardiola for keeping him in the middle, where he dovetailed smoothly with de Bruyne.
“This is the most influential he has been in the team,” Guardiola said after the victory that took the champions within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand.
“He has always had that threat in the box, he had that sense of an amateur player, like kids playing in the street. It’s how he moves in the small spaces and when he’s there now he can score or make an assist and that’s difficult to find.”
Foden said: “I’ve been getting goals and assists recently. I’ve been playing more centrally, so I think that’s why. It’s the most consistent I’ve been for a long time.
“I’m a person who adapts and plays a lot of positions when needed. I’m enjoying playing in the middle and that’s where I see myself. Hopefully I can get more game time playing there.
“I don’t score a lot of headers, so I’m delighted with that one.
“All I set myself is to try to better last year’s stats and just try to improve every year – more goals and more assists. I need to keep going and showing this level of performance more often.”
Former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested that England manager Gareth Southgate should play him and Jude Bellingham as No. 8s.
England have been looking for a third central midfielder, with Bellingham and Declan Rice automatic starters and Foden more often featuring on the flanks.
He said on Sky Sports: “For England, there is no reason why he can’t play in that (central) position. I think criticism of Gareth Southgate being too defensive can be a little over the top, but this would be a bold move, and why not when you’ve got players of that quality.
“In Spain, Foden and Bellingham would play as two No. 8s.” REUTERS
