Foden shows his class in England U17s
PHIL Foden produced a sparkling display as England Under-17s qualified for their World Cup knockout stages with a game to spare.
The City playmaker has had a memorable few months; Pep Guardiola could not put his performance against United on tour into words and former England manager Glenn Hoddle declared him more South American than the Chilean team.
Foden also showed he can do it against the North Americans as England beat Mexico 3-2 to make it two wins from two.
After Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster had given Steve Cooper’s side the lead, Foden was in the right place to sweep home a ball from former Blue Jadon Sancho.
As well as the goal, Foden caught the eye with his skill as he tormented the Mexico defence throughout the game.
Despite nearly blowing a three-goal lead, the young Lions held on to book their place in the knockout rounds ahead of their final group game with Iraq on Saturday.
Fellow Blues Curtis Anderson and Joel Latibeaudiere also played in the win, with the latter captaining the side again after recovering from an injury he suffered earlier this year.
“I spent a lot of time in the gym when I was out,” he told M.E.N. Sport. “The physios and sports scientists said that ‘this is the time when you can improve there and we can get you ready and push you as much as we can’. CITY’S flying start to the season has been built around Pep Guardiola’s determination to make David Silva his side’s Andres Iniesta.
Guardiola has filled his squad with attacking talent since taking over at the Etihad last year - but always considered Silva central to his plans.
While the signing of Bernardo Silva was seen as a step towards finding a successor to his namesake, Guardiola has sought to construct a team capable of fully exploiting the man he regards as his most influential playmaker.
And in a season when Kevin de Bruyne has taken many of the plaudits, while the attacking qualities of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling have tormented defences, Silva has quietly orchestrated their rise to the top of the Premier League. The 31-yearold - who is expected to sign a oneyear extension to his contract - has provided more assists than any other player in the top flight this season.
The Spaniard has contributed to 26 percent of all City’s scoring chances, with six assists, underlining his enduring influence at the Etihad.
And rather than the addition of so many attacking players squeezing Silva out, the movement of Sane, Bernardo, Sterling and Jesus has only served to provide Silva with more outlets for his creativity.
Guardiola is believed to have told Silva in the summer of his desire to see him dictate City’s play in the manner of Iniesta at Barca.
And just as Iniesta is surrounded by thrilling attacking talent at the Nou Camp, Guardiola has sought to furnish his forward line with the players for Silva’s vision to exploit.
In Sane and Sterling, he has willing runners. In Aguero and Jesus guile and movement - and in De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan City have players to ease the strain on Silva, pulling defenders away to create space he has rarely enjoyed since arriving in England. The results have been spectacular - even if Silva’s contribution has largely gone under the radar. The sheer volume and spread of goals from the Premier League leaders have seen the likes of De Bruyne seize the headlines - but it is Silva who has been at the heart City’s rise. Guardiola believes it is only the Spanish international’s lack of goals that has stopped him from being considered among the very best in the world. His omission from this year’s Ballon d’Or shortlist, while De Bruyne is included, is evidence of how his rare talents continue to be underestimated. Crucially, they are appreciated by Guardiola. And while the City manager spent another £200m overhauling his squad in the summer - Silva remains his most important weapon. James Robson