Soccer Football - Champions League - Manchester City Training - Etihad Campus, Manchester, Britain - September 5, 2022 Manchester City's Phil Foden during training Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been discussing Phil Foden’s form after his side’s comfortable opening Champions League victory over Sevilla on Tuesday.
The Lowdown: City cruise…
The Premier League champions, having remained unbeaten domestically so far, also got off to a flying start in Europe.
Guardiola’s dominant blues showcased their flare and confidence yet again at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium with a 4-0 victory courtesy of some familiar names.
Marquee summer signing Erling Haaland made headlines again with a brilliant brace, but he wasn’t the only contributor, with strikes from Ruben Dias and Foden also guiding City to an impressive away win.
However, despite the latter man chipping in with a fantastic solo effort tucked into Sevilla’s bottom corner, Guardiola has some slight criticism.
The Latest: Guardiola makes Foden claim…
Speaking to BT Sport after the game (via City Xtra), the Spaniard claims Foden ‘isn’t playing too good’ overall despite his phenomenal ability to make an impact when it counts.
He explained:
“Foden has an incredible thing, lately isn’t playing too good, but always does the job, and runs and works for the team. He is dynamic and his work ethic… You can play bad, but every single game, Phil does it. That’s why he deserved to play.”
The Verdict: Special talent…
Foden is perhaps an embodiment of the age-old football cliche ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’.
Over his six league starts, the England international has already chipped in with a goal and two assists on top of his strike against Sevilla earlier this week.
Even despite his so-called poor form according to Guardiola, the midfield sensation ranks among City’s top six best-performing players so far by average match rating per 90 (WhoScored).
If this is Foden in a bad spell, opponents may be worried to find out what the 22-year-old can do when back at peak form.
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