#47 | Phil Foden - 2019/20 Performances

[twosips]

Was looking at his stats etc, and it's quite ridiculous how he could retire now and he would have had a better career than 99.99999% of footballers.

 

[TonyM]

Ireland’s not even on the same planet as Foden.

Ireland had about 1 good season throughout his whole career, also.

And Foden hasn't had any really yet.

They are both on the same planet btw.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Nice to see Foden wishing his childhood mate Gomez at utd all the best for the rest of his career after departing old trafford. In the midst of a great week,it seems our lad is grounded enough to reflect on a mates less sucessful early career.
Just read this in the MEN.and Gomez clearly appreciated his comments.

 

[Mr Partridge]

No coincidence that our two worst games have been the ones he hasn't started.

 

[itisrising]

No coincidence that our two worst games have been the ones he hasn't started.

We struggle without him and KDB. We lack any directness and our play is too slow and predictable. It shows how unbelievable a talent he is when we expect him to be the difference.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

We struggle without him and KDB. We lack any directness and our play is too slow and predictable. It shows how unbelievable a talent he is when we expect him to be the difference.

And..it also ,begs the question...Could he have made a difference if he had started more games this season.?
At the end of the day,20 odd points is a big difference

 

[christened at st marks]

One of our most important players along with KDB, Laporte and Ederson

 

[itisrising]

And..it also ,begs the question...Could he have made a difference if he had started more games this season.?
At the end of the day,20 odd points is a big difference

I'd argue we certainly couldn't have done worse which is why I don't buy into the narrative that Pep has handled him 'perfectly'. Whenever he's played this season, he's offered us directness and unpredictability which we've been crying out for. Our overall play this season especially when we start Silva, Bernardo, Jesus, Gundogan etc is a very slow and uninspiring brand of offence imo; Foden and KDB are musts in our attack.

 

[domalino]

I'd argue we certainly couldn't have done worse which is why I don't buy into the narrative that Pep has handled him 'perfectly'. Whenever he's played this season, he's offered us directness and unpredictability which we've been crying out for. Our overall play this season especially when we start Silva, Bernardo, Jesus, Gundogan etc is a very slow and uninspiring brand of offence imo; Foden and KDB are musts in our attack.

The thing with the Pep/Foden handling debate is that both sides can't be proven wrong and both interpret the same evidence - him doing well - as proof of their theory.

If Foden is one of our best players after 3 starts, people who thought he should be held back this long think it's a masterstroke, "Look how good he is, now he's ready".

And people who think he should have played sooner think "Clearly he was ready before now if he's already undroppable"

IMO The truth is probably that he could have played earlier, and that would have helped us as a team earlier in the season, but Phil personally has benefitted from being kept back until he's more than good enough, sheltered from England and the media.

PS. Also, I wonder if it's a coincidence or not that Garcia and Foden have both been shoved into the starting XI as soon as Juanma Lillo arrived. Maybe Pep just needed someone who's known to be enthusiastic about young players to convince him to take the jump.

 

[oldius]

The thing with the Pep/Foden handling debate is that both sides can't be proven wrong and both interpret the same evidence - him doing well - as proof of their theory.

If Foden is one of our best players after 3 starts, people who thought he should be held back this long think it's a masterstroke, "Look how good he is, now he's ready".

And people who think he should have played sooner think "Clearly he was ready before now if he's already undroppable"

IMO The truth is probably that he could have played earlier, and that would have helped us as a team earlier in the season, but Phil personally has benefitted from being kept back until he's more than good enough, sheltered from England and the media.

The proof will come at the end of his career, if it is as long, successful and honour filled as his potential suggests. If it is, job done.