47 | Phil Foden - 2025/26

FromPollockToSilva said:
Based on what we've seen at this tournament, the question Pep and team need to be working on answering is:

How do we get Doku, Foden, and Cherki into the team while preventing getting ripped apart on the break?
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Yeah. I suppose Foden from the right with Cherki central and midfielders sitting a bit. Some pace at the back too preferably and Livramento!
 
Craig said:
Yeah. I suppose Foden from the right with Cherki central and midfielders sitting a bit. Some pace at the back too preferably and Livramento!
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It’s the pressing from a front four of Doku, Cherki, Foden and Haaland that concerns me. If the fullbacks are providing width too then that doesn’t leave many men back on the break, so the press becomes even more important
 
Not a criticism but you see all these videos particularly recently of him and Cherki skilling and pinging the ball between each other.

Phils clearly got the tekkers but genuinely cant recall him ever actually use a bit of skill on the pitch. Whereas Cherki using them every other time he gets the ball. Would really elevate Phil's game if he added a bit of dynamism to it. It'd make him more suited to the no10 role too.. Its probably Pep tbh, made him so risk adverse that if he's not in a shooting position then he'll pass backwards/sideways instead of dribble/try low chance passes. Its frustrating because the natural talent is best ever English player level.
 
01cravend said:
Not a criticism but you see all these videos particularly recently of him and Cherki skilling and pinging the ball between each other.

Phils clearly got the tekkers but genuinely cant recall him ever actually use a bit of skill on the pitch. Whereas Cherki using them every other time he gets the ball. Would really elevate Phil's game if he added a bit of dynamism to it. It'd make him more suited to the no10 role too.. Its probably Pep tbh, made him so risk adverse that if he's not in a shooting position then he'll pass backwards/sideways instead of dribble/try low chance passes. Its frustrating because the natural talent is best ever English player level.
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He would regularly use skill a few seasons back and was one of the best for getting out of certain situations. A few years back when we played dortmund and psg he skinned them quite a few times with unbelievable skill.

I’d argue he’s technically the best player in the side. I think pep has played a part in restricting that creativity. Posters on here were obsessed with him slowing everything down as well, which doesn’t help in my opinion
 
Cheadle_hulmeBlue said:
He would regularly use skill a few seasons back and was one of the best for getting out of certain situations. A few years back when we played dortmund and psg he skinned them quite a few times with unbelievable skill.

I’d argue he’s technically the best player in the side. I think pep has played a part in restricting that creativity. Posters on here were obsessed with him slowing everything down as well, which doesn’t help in my opinion
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1) I think Cherki has him comfortably beaten when it comes to technique. He can do everything Phil can do but with both feet
2) I don't recall Pep restricting De Bruyne's creativity when he was statistically the most creative player in Europe season after season. Phil just hasn't achieved his potential for that specific aspect of the game (whereas he definitely has as a goalscoring midfielder)
 
FromPollockToSilva said:
1) I think Cherki has him comfortably beaten when it comes to technique. He can do everything Phil can do but with both feet
2) I don't recall Pep restricting De Bruyne's creativity when he was statistically the most creative player in Europe season after season. Phil just hasn't achieved his potential for that specific aspect of the game (whereas he definitely has as a goalscoring midfielder)
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Can't have five kids before 23 though
 
FromPollockToSilva said:
1) I think Cherki has him comfortably beaten when it comes to technique. He can do everything Phil can do but with both feet
2) I don't recall Pep restricting De Bruyne's creativity when he was statistically the most creative player in Europe season after season. Phil just hasn't achieved his potential for that specific aspect of the game (whereas he definitely has as a goalscoring midfielder)
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Don’t agree on the first point. Phil has done it at the highest level against some top teams. Cherki needs to prove that yet. I think your underrating how technically good foden is.

Not sure I agree on the second point either. Pep has changed Phil’s game, so he’s calmer on the ball and retains possession more. Most of the attack are scoring and creating less, so I think pep has had some influence on that.
 
Cheadle_hulmeBlue said:
Don’t agree on the first point. Phil has done it at the highest level against some top teams. Cherki needs to prove that yet. I think your underrating how technically good foden is.

Not sure I agree on the second point either. Pep has changed Phil’s game, so he’s calmer on the ball and retains possession more. Most of the attack are scoring and creating less, so I think pep has had some influence on that.
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I think almost anyone would struggle to beat Cherki for natural skill and technique. He shields the ball superbly and it helps he’s so 2 footed. Where Foden’s edge over him for dribbling was his acceleration. He could produce a great bit of skill on the half turn and be away. Something that is very evident on clips from the PSG and Dortmund games that a poster mentioned.

The problem for Phil has been that for whatever reason that burst has disappeared over the last year or so. He’s never been particularly good at shielding the ball like say David Silva and even in snippets Oscar Bobb. He has great skill and quick feet though. Since he’s been struggling to get away from players he’s become more of a get half yard and shoot player and a very good goal scorer. The wow moments like his turn in the champs league final haven’t been there though apart from when he’s scored a screamer. Hopefully it’s something we see again but it’s certainly been strange to watch at his age without a major injury.
 
Craig said:
I think almost anyone would struggle to beat Cherki for natural skill and technique. He shields the ball superbly and it helps he’s so 2 footed. Where Foden’s edge over him for dribbling was his acceleration. He could produce a great bit of skill on the half turn and be away. Something that is very evident on clips from the PSG and Dortmund games that a poster mentioned.
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Fair enough. I still don’t agree, but it is just a personal opinion and their both brilliant. The major difference for me is foden has done it at the highest level. You can have all the skill in the world, buts it’s rare players actually show that at the top level. Cherki will hopefully show that regularly at city.
 
FromPollockToSilva said:
Based on what we've seen at this tournament, the question Pep and team need to be working on answering is:

How do we get Doku, Foden, and Cherki into the team while preventing getting ripped apart on the break?
Click to expand...
If there is even a hint before the game of opposition parking the bus, play Foden as a false nine, Doku where Doku has been playing and Cherki in a pseudo KdB position. If that means Haaland starts on the bench, so be it.
 
I know he had a disappointing season by his own standards but for me should be first name on the team sheet along with rodri and build the team around them.
Might be slightly biased have known him since he was a baby,grew up with his dad and uncles but he's a brilliant player and this should really be his team now kdb has left.
 
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