#47 | Phil Foden - 2020/21 Performances

[Saddleworth2]

yeah I’ve been saying for a while that Zidane is the player he reminds me of most stylistically. The grace and effortless balance with the ball. But with the centre of gravity of Iniesta and much quicker and a greater goal threat than both.

I don’t say it lightly but has the tools to go on to be better than both. He is astonishingly gifted. The little scooped take on to beat a second player after managing to stay on his feet from an attempted foul half a second earlier, before then running through to set up a chance… there’s only one other person on the planet capable of that piece of skill.

I have increasingly thought it but didn't want to say it but you are right and I predict a growing number of comparisons with that one other person if Phil maintains this trajectory.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Wasn’t it best young player in the world on present form?

I thought he went further but it might have been the euphoria/alcohol.
Will look for it again later when I watch the recording :-)

 

[01cravend]

Think the only other player in my lifetime for us that carries the ball as effortlessly as Phil is Yaya. Glides across the pitch.
Needs to sharpen up them shooting tools for the final though.

 

[DruntBlunt]

His assist for Mahrez was a thing of beauty. Fell off my chair when Camel gob called him 'best player in the world'.

Gob ain't all bad.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

He's got bits of David, Kev and Leroy in his games but he's also very much his own player.

That technique of his where he strikes the ball hard and low for his shots is quite unique. If you'd never seen him before then you'd think he was dragging his shots a bit but he does it every week.

 

[TravisBickle]

Wouldn’t swap him for any player in the world right now and the scary thing is he is still 5/6 years away from his peak!

 

[blue ranger]

The thing about Foden is we still don’t know what position he will end up in. The way he glides past players I still think he could end up playing as an 8 but even as a LW he looks unplayable at times.

 

[domalino]

yeah I’ve been saying for a while that Zidane is the player he reminds me of most stylistically. The grace and effortless balance with the ball. But with the centre of gravity of Iniesta and much quicker and a greater goal threat than both.

I don’t say it lightly but has the tools to go on to be better than both. He is astonishingly gifted. The little scooped take on to beat a second player after managing to stay on his feet from an attempted foul half a second earlier, before then running through to set up a chance… there’s only one other person on the planet capable of that piece of skill.

The elegance and graceful technique combined with pace remind me of Kaka, although he didn't have the grit and edge to him.

 

[Blu1]

You can tell he’s still in dreamland & hesitant at times but just wait till he realises how good he is. He will be one of the best players in the world within 2 more seasons.

I seriously would not take £200 million or swap him for any player on the planet.

 

[kun]

He will be one of the best players in the world within 2 more seasons.

He is one of the best players in the world already.

 

[Blu1]

He is one of the best players in the world already.

I agree but he needs that champs league trophy for the world to really take notice

 

[IrishBlueSince92]

I never thought that he'd be a better left winger than Sane this soon after Sane left the club. It probably isn't even his strongest position.
He's world class already.

 

[domalino]

He is one of the best players in the world already.

I agree but he needs that champs league trophy for the world to really take notice

He does need to rediscover his finishing quickly.

Watching him for 5 seasons from u18's through to about 6 weeks ago, his finishing has set him apart. Absolutely clinical, the chance would come and he'd finish it. Ruthless, effortless. Some of the finishes he's capable of are incredible too, the Chelsea goal was something every striker in the world would be proud of.

But in the last 4 CL games, he's lost it a bit, should have scored 2 or 3 huge chances, and to be fair was unlucky with a couple of others. Maybe it's a reminder of how big these games are for a 20 year old in his first real season as a starter.

I just don't want it to come back to bite him in a big game, because he's so young, and it means so much to him as a City fan.

Also I don't want him to lose his goalscoring because it really does set him apart and if you're talking about being the best player in the world, ballon d'or type stuff, being a 20+ goal a season player puts him on another level.

 

[Buckley Mug]

The best one l'v seen posted There is only one F in Foden

 

[Claytop]

He does need to rediscover his finishing quickly.

Watching him for 5 seasons from u18's through to about 6 weeks ago, his finishing has set him apart. Absolutely clinical, the chance would come and he'd finish it. Ruthless, effortless. Some of the finishes he's capable of are incredible too, the Chelsea goal was something every striker in the world would be proud of.

But in the last 4 CL games, he's lost it a bit, should have scored 2 or 3 huge chances, and to be fair was unlucky with a couple of others. Maybe it's a reminder of how big these games are for a 20 year old in his first real season as a starter.

I just don't want it to come back to bite him in a big game, because he's so young, and it means so much to him as a City fan.

Also I don't want him to lose his goalscoring because it really does set him apart and if you're talking about being the best player in the world, ballon d'or type stuff, being a 20+ goal a season player puts him on another level.

Tbf he scored in both legs of the Dortmund game which put us through. The big chance in the 1st leg of the PSG game he should have buried mind, last night he was unlucky.

 

[Chippy_boy]

Tbf he scored in both legs of the Dortmund game which put us through. The big chance in the 1st leg of the PSG game he should have buried mind, last night he was unlucky.

Like you, I am not concerned. I just think he needs to calm down a touch. He's so desperate to score, he's started snatching at things a little and lacking just an atom of composure at the final moment. Entirely understandable for a 20 year old playing for his childhood dream team in such big games. He just oozes talent however and with experience he'll be putting these chances away like clockwork, I am convinced of it.

 

[13/05/12]

Was just curious...

Foden turns 21 later this month. Sancho turned 21 in March.

Foden:
120 games for City, 29 goals

Sancho:
133 games for Dortmund, 46 goals

Sancho is a tremendous young player no question but the critics who said Foden had to follow his footsteps and move away from City don't look so smart now. Foden has been in and around England's best team for three years learning from top players, being phased in, and this year has become a key man in our bid for European glory and regaining the title. Sancho has done excellently but in a weaker league in a team that has underperformed this season. It's not his fault Dortmund are 5th but he is guaranteed starts there whereas Foden took the harder route of trying to break into the most dominant team in England. He's slotted in where David Silva left. He's caused Pep to bench Sterling and made Pep confident in his versatility across the front line that we don't need to use a center forward.

Sancho got the headstart by taking his talents to a lower level in order to guarantee regular football. Foden waited for his time. And I'm not going to criticise Sancho because he's done very well for himself. But Pep has handled Foden magnificently and if we are to chart their individual development it is clear Foden is clear of Sancho now.

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

He does need to rediscover his finishing quickly.

Watching him for 5 seasons from u18's through to about 6 weeks ago, his finishing has set him apart. Absolutely clinical, the chance would come and he'd finish it. Ruthless, effortless. Some of the finishes he's capable of are incredible too, the Chelsea goal was something every striker in the world would be proud of.

But in the last 4 CL games, he's lost it a bit, should have scored 2 or 3 huge chances, and to be fair was unlucky with a couple of others. Maybe it's a reminder of how big these games are for a 20 year old in his first real season as a starter.

I just don't want it to come back to bite him in a big game, because he's so young, and it means so much to him as a City fan.

Also I don't want him to lose his goalscoring because it really does set him apart and if you're talking about being the best player in the world, ballon d'or type stuff, being a 20+ goal a season player puts him on another level.

Little harsh Domalino.
The fact he's in those positions speaks volumes for him as a player.
Sometimes players just go through a phase where it's not 100%, last night his pass too Mahrez laid the second goal on plate.
I'm not sure we need him to be a 20 goal a season player - he'll provide more from assists

 

[yankblue]

I think he'll score in Istanbul. Just a feeling I have.

So happy for Phil, he's living the dream.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Was just curious...

Foden turns 21 later this month. Sancho turned 21 in March.

Foden:
120 games for City, 29 goals

Sancho:
133 games for Dortmund, 46 goals

Sancho is a tremendous young player no question but the critics who said Foden had to follow his footsteps and move away from City don't look so smart now. Foden has been in and around England's best team for three years learning from top players, being phased in, and this year has become a key man in our bid for European glory and regaining the title. Sancho has done excellently but in a weaker league in a team that has underperformed this season. It's not his fault Dortmund are 5th but he is guaranteed starts there whereas Foden took the harder route of trying to break into the most dominant team in England. He's slotted in where David Silva left. He's caused Pep to bench Sterling and made Pep confident in his versatility across the front line that we don't need to use a center forward.

Sancho got the headstart by taking his talents to a lower level in order to guarantee regular football. Foden waited for his time. And I'm not going to criticise Sancho because he's done very well for himself. But Pep has handled Foden magnificently and if we are to chart their individual development it is clear Foden is clear of Sancho now.

Foden is being coached by better coaches and working with world-class players every day. He is also being mentored by one of the greatest managers ever. He has already overtaken Sancho. I don't blame Sancho for leaving but he still not good enough to get in our first team...and probably never will be. It will be interesting to see him in the Euros this Summer though.