I’M NO INIESTA
FODEN: PEP’S RIGHT TO KEEP ME WAITING
PHIL Foden is in full support of Pep Guardiola’s plan for him to break through at City.
The teenage sensation has generated a lot of excitement within St George’s Park and has been fast-tracked up to the England Under-19s squad, but Gareth Southgate recently used him to make a point about the difficulties of picking players that are not featuring regularly for their club.
After two substitute appearances in the Premier League, Foden made his first start of the season in the Carabao Cup game with Oxford and picked up a goal and two assists to orchestrate a 3-0 win.
Pep Guardiola has made it clear both that Foden will play a big part in City’s future and that Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne provide formidable competition for places in the youngster’s preferred position.
He is affectionately named the Stockport Iniesta by fans, something Oxford boss Karl Robinson thought was apt after watching him tear apart his side.
“His feet are to die for. His ability and his orientation of himself on the pitch is genius,” said Robinson.
“There is a naturalness to his game and something we have not seen for a long time. It reminded me of watching Barcelona and seeing Iniesta in those positions.”
It was a step too far for Guardiola, who said: “Andres is a big, big word but I have said many times we are delighted with Phil.
“I’m not going to say he’s going to become Andres Iniesta, because that will put a lot of pressure on him and Andres is by far one of the best players I’ve ever seen.”
Having made the decision in the summer to continue his development in Manchester rather than going out on loan, Foden remains happy to put complete faith in his manager.
Asked about the nickname, Foden said: “I’m happy with that but come on – [Andres] Iniesta is on a different planet! For them to call me that is massive, it means a lot.
“I’ll just keep getting these cup games and run-outs whenever I can and, hopefully, I can start a lot more games one day. There’s no need to rush. Pep knows what he’s doing and I’ll play at the right time.
“He’s good at bringing youth players through, he’s done it in his career before so just be patient, I’m still young and I’m still learning.
“Training with the likes of David [Silva] and Kevin [de Bruyne] and seeing what they do every day has brought me on as a player and working with Pep as well has been a really big part of my game.
“Both him and Mikel Arteta have been a massive help.
“I just have to keep impressing and keep working hard and see where it gets me.”