47 | Phil Foden - 2023/24

[wolfie1988]

My MOTM today. Stuck at it. Worked hard and did some really good things on the ball.

Brilliant to see the consistency in his game.

 

[TrentGrisham]

I would like to know what others think about this. I find it odd that Phil is being made to play on the wing, even though he has performed exceptionally well in the central position. Moreover, other players who make similar mistakes, such as losing the ball, which Pep has cited as the reason for not playing Phil in midfield, still seem to be chosen over him.

I understand that it's almost blasphemous to question Pep's decisions. However, if Phil were purchased for a significant fee, I would find it hard to believe that Pep would play him in any other position despite being our top-performing attacking midfielder throughout the season.

 

[bluealf]

So you'd play him in the attacking midfield slot ahead of KDB?

Bernardo plays in several positions as well and he didn't come through the YA.

 

[TrentGrisham]

So you'd play him in the attacking midfield slot ahead of KDB?

Bernardo plays in several positions as well and he didn't come through the YA.

Not ahead of KDB, but on days like yesterday when KDB isn't even starting, I find it extremely hard to justify, given his form. Especially when the position is given to Alvarez(whom I rate), but I don't think anyone would say he's been playing better than Foden this season.

When Pep consistently says that players must compete for their spots, it seems a bit hypocritical that Foden has the short end of the stick.

 

[burning blue soul]

Pep utilises his assets in the best way he sees.
Gvardiol came at a significant fee and is played out on the left, rather than central, so far. So Pep does have reason to do this when he wants.
Phil will be the KdB successor if his trajectory continues. He has plenty of time to make the ctr his long term home.
Playing in different positions will not harm him long term. It will help him, and the team.

 

[Sir peace frog]

There was 4 changes yesterday, phil has played a lot, the compliment is he wasn't rested, ATM he's on fire, and so to be fair is alvarz, both deserved a starting spot, Bernardo looks a little off form and maybe needed a bit of a step back,,phil is better than alvarez out wide

 

[alexmcity]

Pep is doing what he thinks is best for the TEAM, especially now that we are approaching the business end of the season. It's not about Foden, Haaland or KDB, it's about the TEAM.

Pep wouldn't be Pep if he were ready to make the team worse in order to play his darlings (say, Alvarez).

Personally, I thought that we might have been better off yesterday with Foden behind Haaland, Grealish on the left and Doku on the right. But for reasons we don't know well, Pep decided otherwise. We can trust in Pep, given his phenomenal record.

 

[bigstanhibbert]

Well done on winning the longest title posted on BM. Anyway which Phil ? Foden or Jones....

 

[BringBackSwales]

Funny, you’ve never mentioned anything about this before

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

His best position is when he is in the middle directing the flow of traffic, but he has such technique - there was one point in the game yesterday when he killed a forty yard balloon pass stone dead I said who needs Mahrez when yer 'ave Foden! - and pace that he could play virtually anywhere, though I would resist putting him goal. He can score goals from virtually any position, any foot and any head! And he has that ability to conjure up a goal from having nothing but the ball at his feet. He is an absolute gem. I think Pep realises that he can't really afford to have him on the bench, and I think the pressure to send him out on loan to Cardiff or Wigan has long since vanished.