47 | Phil Foden - 2023/24

[stonerblue]

This forum amazes me at times. He's fucking mustard ffs.

Mental innit

 

[Phil1]

Mental innit

I’m going to defend this little shit until my dying breath! Even changed my 10 year old username in honour of him so he better not fucking let me down!! Haha!

 

[supercity88]

When you say 'extra maturity' i think it's a size thing. Being a skinny little winger there's no need for bulk or strength.
Now he's 'matured' he's got more beef and can play in the middle where Pep wants him to be without getting brushed off the ball.

I see it a game management thing. Keep the ball, manipulate the opposition and pass and move. Don't always look for the killer pass or magic ball. It's a balance. We saw it with Kev last season, giving the ball away time after time. Pep had to remind him to play it simple and then let those passes come into his game again, and it worked. Even with Palmer's goal at the weekend, it came from an excellent turn and burst from Phil but his pass was very difficult to execute and was very nearly cut out which would have led to a counter with about 5 of our players out of position. Fine margins, but if he nails it then I see him performing similarly to Odegaard where he dictates things and is consistently getting goals and assists.

 

[FatedBlue77]

I see it a game management thing. Keep the ball, manipulate the opposition and pass and move. Don't always look for the killer pass or magic ball. It's a balance. We saw it with Kev last season, giving the ball away time after time. Pep had to remind him to play it simple and then let those passes come into his game again, and it worked. Even with Palmer's goal at the weekend, it came from an excellent turn and burst from Phil but his pass was very difficult to execute and was very nearly cut out which would have led to a counter with about 5 of our players out of position. Fine margins, but if he nails it then I see him performing similarly to Odegaard where he dictates things and is consistently getting goals and assists.

How many more years will it take for him to learn to “balance” his game? Pep has asked this of him for many years now and still nothing from his end to show that side of his game as being developed enough. After all these years if he still doesn’t have pep’s trust to play centrally and we’re now considering paying up to £70M for a new midfielder than that says something.

He can be a excellent winger though if he focuses on that.

 

[FJRMCFC]

There are two things holding Foden back from taking that 8 role next to Rodri.

1. He does not play at a controlled tempo, which has been highlighted by Pep many times.
2. Defensively he is lightweight and his stamina/intensity is not at the same level as someone like Bernardo.

He can play slightly more advanced in the position where KDB plays, but he has to share those minutes with Alvarez. This is why he’s forced to play wide. Overall I think he has a serious case to oust an aging KDB over the next 6/12/18 months

 

[Manc123]

I think some need to realised pep isn't going to play Phil and kev together in midfield there two similar.

Foden will take kevs mantle. It's why he's slowly being given minutes in midfield in place of kev.. so expect when keV needs a rest Phil will play there. When Kev's in team Phil will play right wing with Bernie.

Paqueta signing is to rotate with kovacic to replace gundos attributes.

 

[TFC]

There seems to be an element who are bizarrely looking to find fault at every opportunity.An attempt to build up a narrative is gathering momentum from a few oddballs on here and other platforms......he is City through and through and he is one of the best talents in world football,thats no exaggeration.

He is pivotal to this team,and this season,wherever Pep chooses to play him (for the greater good),he will be a major part of any success.

Agreed. Its obvious he is going to be moved into the middle at some point, where he will be absolutely fucking brilliant. I think Pep is handling him perfectly.

(new) City fans are hard fucking work.

 

[TrentGrisham]

There seems to be an element who are bizarrely looking to find fault at every opportunity.An attempt to build up a narrative is gathering momentum from a few oddballs on here and other platforms......he is City through and through and he is one of the best talents in world football,thats no exaggeration.

He is pivotal to this team,and this season,wherever Pep chooses to play him (for the greater good),he will be a major part of any success.

It's the same people who jump on his back at every missed shot or even the slightest opportunity to pass the ball to Haaland. It's fucking bizarre.

 

[skillman]

Needs to be trusted more by Pep. Considering he’s the poster boy of staying under Pep instead of making a name elsewhere, he should be a stalwart in the team by now.

This season is massive for him. Needs to be given a position and to stick to it. And be allowed to grow into the role playing week in, week out. Consistently.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Needs to be trusted more by Pep. Considering he’s the poster boy of staying under Pep instead of making a name elsewhere, he should be a stalwart in the team by now.

This season is massive for him. Needs to be given a position and to stick to it. And be allowed to grow into the role playing week in, week out. Consistently.

I disagree,his versatility is as much a strength as some will try and turn it into a weakness.......he needs to play where he is required to do a job that enables our team to function at its best.