47 | Phil Foden - 2022/23

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Why is everyone panicking?

Pep's extension!

The next 2-3 years will see major changes at City.. our midfield needs to become younger.

Everyone is nervous.

 

[Craig]

If you don't pause the game.. you end up losing games like what almost happened with Newcastle.

Other teams are faster and more attacking directly than us (Liverpool in last few seasons). Even United have cut us to shreds in a few derbies with Ole at the wheel.

That pause gives City control and that's why Pep loves midfielders who can do that.

Probably should have kept Jesus then an told him he was his main man upfront rather than signing the best striker in the world who wants the ball delivered quickly into the box.

Not watched the game back but don’t remember too much coming from Foden losing the ball.If anything i thought he didn’t try to get at Trippier enough. I did notice Walker being poor in a position that’s alien to him and us having gaping holes without Bernado to help Rodri or anyone in the right back position at times against their biggest threat.

 

[Agueroooo9320]

Probably should have kept Jesus then an told him he was his main man upfront rather than signing the best striker in the world who wants the ball delivered quickly into the box.

Not watched the game back but don’t remember too much coming from Foden losing the ball.If anything i thought he didn’t try to get at Trippier enough. I did notice Walker being poor in a position that’s alien to him and us having gaping holes without Bernado to help Rodri or anyone in the right back position at times against their biggest threat.

well your logic makes no sense. of course Foden plays forward and hence he is playing quick that is what we want of our forward. we are speaking about if he can play like that in midfield. pep doesn't think he can

 

[Craig]

well your logic makes no sense. of course Foden plays forward and hence he is playing quick that is what we want of our forward. we are speaking about if he can play like that in midfield. pep doesn't think he can

No, i’m saying where the problems stemmed from against Newcastle. If we had a world class left sided attacker Foden probably wouldn’t play there that much. I’m also saying Pep would think KDB and Foden together would be too attacking and obviously nobody in their right mind would drop KDB. Our current number 8’s are excellent and it’s a much stronger area of the team than the left side of midfield. Silva and KDB as 8’s together was absolutely perfect as one would take the risks whilst one would dictate the pace of the game and retain possession. None of that means Foden couldn’t play there now and couldn’t one day surpass all of them there.

Foden’s greatest attributes will be showcased when he eventually moves to that position. His vision, skill,range of passing, burst of pace and energy.

 

[bluevalley]

Of course he can play as CM, I think besides the CB role he can play in any position on the pitch and be very good at it and he already proved it.
The main reason Pep is playing him in the front 3 is more down to earth, he is one of the few who can reliably score goals, and that is the #1 problem a manager has to solve.
When we had Aguero and Sterling scoring 30+ a season he was played in midfield, but when those two sources dried up Pep looked for other sources for goals including Foden. Haaland is on his way to fill that gap but until we have a reliable front 3 that can score at will he will be playing where he is needed the most, and that is in front.

 

[MaskedAguero10]

Of course he can play as CM, I think besides the CB role he can play in any position on the pitch and be very good at it and he already proved it.
The main reason Pep is playing him in the front 3 is more down to earth, he is one of the few who can reliably score goals, and that is the #1 problem a manager has to solve.
When we had Aguero and Sterling scoring 30+ a season he was played in midfield, but when those two sources dried up Pep looked for other sources for goals including Foden. Haaland is on his way to fill that gap but until we have a reliable front 3 that can score at will he will be playing where he is needed the most, and that is in front.

Are people just completely ignoring what Pep, his actual manager is saying in press conferences and interviews regarding Foden and his position? Look back on interviews when he's asked about where Phil can play and why he can't currently play in the middle. It's not about having a source of goals.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Are people just completely ignoring what Pep, his actual manager is saying in press conferences and interviews regarding Foden and his position? Look back on interviews when he's asked about where Phil can play and why he can't currently play in the middle. It's not about having a source of goals.

People have heard and read the same interviews you have but some of you are putting your own spin on it.

He has explicitly stated that he's a midfielder but that he can play multiple positions and wants him to learn how and when to pace himself.

If you want the choose to interpret that as "Phil can't play in midfield because he only has one gear" then that's your choice but don't pass it off as a direct translation because that's just false.

 

[MaskedAguero10]

People have heard and read the same interviews you have but some of you are putting your own spin on it.

He has explicitly stated that he's a midfielder but that he can play multiple positions and wants him to learn how and when to pace himself.

If you want the choose to interpret that as "Phil can't play in midfield because he only has one gear" then that's your choice but don't pass it off as a direct translation because that's just false.

Guardiola said: “He is a top, top player, but he is still playing football in one rhythm. He has to combine different rhythms to be an exceptional player.

“He makes all the actions in one explosion. When you play in the middle you have to be calmer. But maybe it is because he is 20 years old.

This is what Pep said back around March 2021 about Phil. It's exactly why he can't play in midfield because he plays in one very high and intense tempo which is not good in that position.

 

[applejuice]

TBH I think currently KDB plays more like a forward and Grealish plays more like a midfielder on the wing. What KDB usually does - driving forward beat opposite put in cross - is exactly what a "winger" should function. What Grealish usually does - winning 50/50, controlling the ball, carrying ball up the pitch from deep, recycling procession - exactly what a "midfielder" should function.

It is 2022 a forward mind player can play in the middle and a midfield can play on the wing.
So I don't see why Foden cannot play in the middle.

The root cause might be we cannot have both KDB and Foden together in the middle. If Foden pairs with Bernado or Gundo, it should be fine.

 

[Josh_D]

I feel that Foden will be the high risk player that Kevin is now in future once Kev gets older. There will be others who have the pausa quality about them playing with Foden in the middle. Just a prediction.

It may not come true but I just see it that way. He may have been playing well on the wings but Foden isn’t a winger. He’s a very good footballer that’s been able to do well at what he’s been asked, LW, F9, RW.

He has much more to learn and I’m here to see his progress in the game. Will always support the lad while he dons the sky blue of Manchester City.