IT’S FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR FODEN
FODEN cemented his status as one of Manchester City’s most influential players as they booked their Champions League semi-final place. But the demands on the 20-year-old are now relentless, and City’s pursuit of the unprecedented Quadruple face another giant hurdle at Wembley tomorrow when they face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final. Foden has plundered 13 goals this season, the best
by DAVID MCDONNELL return of his career, and has filled the void left by the departure of City legend David Silva.
Stockport-born Foden is also keeping Raheem Sterling out of the starting line-up, having taken his place on the left side of City’s attack.
After scoring the winning goal in both legs of the quarter-final tie against Borussia Dortmund, Pep Guardiola hailed Foden’s remarkable progress this season. “He grew up,” said the City boss. “In the quarterphil final of the Champions League, he was the important player to help us go through.
“You have the feeling that he is a guy who never hides. He always creates something. He’s dynamic offensively and defensively, with quality in the smaller spaces.”
Right now Foden is simply undroppable. He has been a key figure in City’s chase for four trophies, in particular his man-of-the-match display in City’s 4-1 demolition of Liverpool at Anfield.
But his performances against Dortmund, with so much on the line for City and Guardiola after three successive quarter-final exits, were the peak.
Foden’s emergence as a player of stature this season has vindicated Guardiola’s management of him.
Rather than pander to the demand to give him more game-time at 18 and 19, Guardiola rationed Foden’s appearances, carefully nurturing his talent.
The wisdom of that approach is justified by his development into such an important player for City.