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.

 

[M Gaudino]

Unbelievable if u think that Foden is anywhere near Messi. What am I reading here?

in terms of footballing ability and physical attributes he is comparable. footballing intelligence and consistency though is the difference.

just have a think; at some point around 2007, 2008 people on a barcelona forum would have been saying ‘he can be as good as maradonna’ about messi . and someone would have been responding “dont compare him to the greatest footballer ever thats not fair”

if you look at stats and titles foden aint a million miles away at similar ages from teen to 22…its just the last year or so he hasnt progressed like Messi did.

 

[Agueroooo9320]

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.

mostly agree with what you say. what foden needs for playing in midfield is either pep leaving for a new manager or KDB hanging up his boots. I am not convinced he is suddenly going to show the poise of bernardo or gundo as a 8.

 

[Agueroooo9320]

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.

exactly. hence why I said foden will play in midfield after KDB retires. not before.

 

[city warrior]

in terms of footballing ability and physical attributes he is comparable. footballing intelligence and consistency though is the difference.

just have a think; at some point around 2007, 2008 people on a barcelona forum would have been saying ‘he can be as good as maradonna’ about messi . and someone would have been responding “dont compare him to the greatest footballer ever thats not fair”

if you look at stats and titles foden aint a million miles away at similar ages from teen to 22…its just the last year or so he hasnt progressed like Messi did.

You are doing a disservice to Foden comparing him to Messi. Messi at 22 was 3 times in the pole for Ballon D'or(and won one) had 2 seasons with +30 goals, was already the absolute star of maybe the best team in history and had scored goals that Foden couldn't do even in his dreams.

I don't even know why Messi is being brought up to the conversation, when Foden should focus on being in the same conversation of Mbappe and Haaland, or even Vinicius. He was there a couple seasons ago, but he has stagnated, 2 seasons ago he was a top 3 player for our team, but for the last year as important as he still is, I count easily 6-7 players that are more important for us.

 

[Keeper!]

You are doing a disservice to Foden comparing him to Messi. Messi at 22 was 3 times in the pole for Ballon D'or(and won one) had 2 seasons with +30 goals, was already the absolute star of maybe the best team in history and had scored goals that Foden couldn't do even in his dreams.

I don't even know why Messi is being brought up to the conversation, when Foden should focus on being in the same conversation of Mbappe and Haaland, or even Vinicius. He was there a couple seasons ago, but he has stagnated, 2 seasons ago he was a top 3 player for our team, but for the last year as important as he still is, I count easily 6-7 players that are more important for us.

He has stagnated in the last 18 months for me and maybe regressed a touch.

Still a top quality player on his day but far too much hype around him, huge couple of seasons coming up for him, will he kick on and become a great or yet another overrated English player?

 

[blue whippet]

He has stagnated in the last 18 months for me and maybe regressed a touch.

Still a top quality player on his day but far too much hype around him, huge couple of seasons coming up for him, will be kick on and become a great or yet another overrated English player?

I find myself agreeing with this. His name used to be one of the first I looked for on the team sheet. Hopefully he is just having a little blip on his road to becoming a consistently great player rather than just the odd flash of brilliance.

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Really he’s been Leroy’s replacement and is comparable. I’m just disappointed that despite the obvious physical development he has made he hasn’t accelerated in numbers and consistency from where he was 2 years ago. He perhaps could have been as guaranteed a starting place as De Bruyne and Rodri by now and he isn’t. just another forward to rotate.

Should we compare him to messi?

Speed - yes
Dribbling - yes
Wrong foot - maybe not
Shooting ability - yes
Skills - yes

Pep said he was as talented and even tried to play him in the false 9 at a similar age.

 

[mosssideblue]

He has stagnated in the last 18 months for me and maybe regressed a touch.

Still a top quality player on his day but far too much hype around him, huge couple of seasons coming up for him, will he kick on and become a great or yet another overrated English player?

Your post won't be too well received by some but I agree with you.

Hopefully he gets back to his very best soon.

 

[wolviedinho]

He has stagnated in the last 18 months for me and maybe regressed a touch.

Still a top quality player on his day but far too much hype around him, huge couple of seasons coming up for him, will he kick on and become a great or yet another overrated English player?

Nothing wrong with this post. I am not sure what’s going on with Phil. He is a very good player. Maybe our expectations went OTT?

Or he could simply be out of form? We all have speculated about his level? Maybe this is it.

Getting moved about constantly is not helping. I can see why pep is not playing him in the centre. He is all action and need to slow down at times which I don’t agree with but Pep is the boss. On the same token, false 9 was a waste of time and a pep mistake.

I personally think he is needed in the middle beside Rodri and Kev. Midfield is easily bypassed with no terriers but pep won’t play him ahead of Gundo. Wide left he is not impacting games at the min.

 

[King Jay]

just have a think; at some point around 2007, 2008 people on a barcelona forum would have been saying ‘he can be as good as maradonna’ about messi . and someone would have been responding “dont compare him to the greatest footballer ever thats not fair”

if you look at stats and titles foden aint a million miles away at similar ages from teen to 22…its just the last year or so he hasnt progressed like Messi did.

„ if u look at stats and titles“ . Now watch how Messi played and how Foden is playing. The other was running through defenses, scoring a goal of the century at the age of 19 - getting Hattricks against teams like Real Madrid - the other is still not playing at his best position.
They are both left footed that’s it. Put more pressure on him.
Messi was already Ballon d‘or lvl in 2007 at the age of 20. the only player who was as talented or won a ballon d‘or earlier was R9.
Messi had 58 scorers in 51 games by the way at the age of 21. it’s not about stats and titles only - it’s also about how these players played and how much impact they had.
of course players get better over years but there’s a limit. Messi completely dominated the CL during the same time.
Some people here expect to much from Foden and will be highly disappointed in the future.