THE KID GLOVES ARE OFF Pep unleashes Foden on the Prem and is rewarded with sparkling displays

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PROJECT RESTART has had more significance for Phil Foden than any other player.

It has proved the launchpad for the young midfielder’s burgeoning career, having served notice he is now ready to play regularly for Manchester City.

Since football resumed last month, Foden has been unstoppable, with four goals, an assist and some breathtaking displays in three Premier League outings.

Guardiola has rationed Foden’s first-team appearances, harnessing his prodigious talent and protecting him as he takes his first steps on what is destined to be a glittering career.

But there can be no more holding back the 20-year-old after his sublime display in

City’s 4-0 rout of newly-crowned champions Liverpool, which proved he is ready to take the step up.

Foden (right, with Guardiola) is showing his readiness for next season, when he is expected to fill the void left by the departing David Silva.

The Spaniard is leaving at the end of this season after a decade of on-pitch majesty, yet the loss of arguably City’s greatest player will be tempered by the emergence of Foden as his replacement.

Foden has been dubbed the ‘Stockport Iniesta’, his sublime touch on the ball, ability to glide past opponents and surging runs earning him lofty comparisons with Barcelona’s famed midfielder.

And Guardiola knows there can be no more holding Foden back.

His emergence as a regular for City is also a huge boost for England boss Gareth Southgate, who has resisted including him in his squads due to a lack of regular game-time.

But with Foden having knocked on the first-team door at City last season and barged straight through it this time, an England place is now within his grasp.

He has struck up an intuitive understanding with City teammate Raheem Sterling, which Southgate will surely look to translate to the international stage ahead of Euro 2020 next

Games since lockdown

year.

In this kind of form, Foden would appear to have the edge over the likes of James Maddison and Mason Mount, who both have already been called up by Southgate.

After his master class against Liverpool on Thursday, Guardiola lavished praise on Foden, lauding his character and mental strength as much as his mesmeric ability on the ball.

“There is not one day when he had a bad face for not playing,” said Guardiola. “In training, every action is positive.

“He’s so fast and so strong defensively. He played at Old Trafford, he played against incredible top teams and he was there, always at a high level.

“He’s a City fan, but it’s important he trusts us and that he wants to stay here and play with us.

“All the managers around the world would love to have Phil. The success we have as managers is because we train incredible players.

“It is incredible news for us that we have him for the next years. He can play as a midfielder, a winger, a striker, because he has an incredible sense of goal and vision.

“Gareth Southgate has an incredible talent for the national team. I’ve seen many players in my life, trained incredible players and Phil will be one of them.

“When he takes the ball, he is aggressive against defenders and shoots and scores. We cannot waste that. It is so difficult to find that quality.”

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RALPH HASENHUTTL laughed off suggestions that BBC viewers tuning into Manchester City’s visit to St Mary’s tonight might need a calculator. Southampton have already been on the wrong end of a 9-0 home defeat by Leicester back in October. And with City raining in goals on Thursday, one could fear the worst for a team who have conceded the most Premier League goals at home this season. “Next question please!” smiled Hasenhuttl (above) when reminded of the Leicester result. But City’s 4-0 win against Liverpool must have made terrifying viewing? “Terrifying, no,” he said. “I have big respect for every team and it is not surprising they can score four if you don’t do a good job or give them too much space. “They can hurt you like no other team. But we played them twice immediately after the Leicester game, so we had the situation of facing Manchester City after an ominous result – away as well – and were close to getting something. We lost 2-1. “So we are not scared. Respect, yes, for the way they are playing.”