FODEN’S FOCUS
PHIL Foden is standing on the brink of football immortality ... before he even turns 21.
And the City star says that Pep Guardiola’s one-game-at-a-time mantra is working, even though he and his team-mates are still dreaming of unprecedented success.
The Blues are a minimum of 11 wins away from becoming the first English team in history to win all three domestic trophies and the Champions League.
And Foden could follow that by helping England to glory in the European Championships in the summer, with the bookies installing Gareth Southgate’s men as favourites.
The 20-year-old Stockport lad is away on international duty, trying to help the Three Lions secure a place in the 2022 World Cup.
But he spoke about how Guardiola is keeping the blinkers on his team, not allowing minds to stray too far towards thoughts of the improbable Quadruple.
“Pep is really good with that, trying to not think too far ahead,” said Foden. “He is always saying to everyone, ‘Just focus on the next game’. But, for sure, the lads are going to think about it of course. It could be one of the best seasons in City’s history if we pull that off.
“But all we get told is just to focus on the next game and just keep the same attitude. Hopefully we will win as many (trophies) as possible with City.
“Then, obviously, to play in the England team is the aim so it would be great times for me. I’m looking forward to it – looking forward to the challenge.”
Guardiola says he cannot prevent his players from ‘dreaming’, but showed his displeasure when Aleks
Zinchenko was bold enough to publicly proclaim that he believes City can pull off a clean sweep.
The manager gave the Ukraine international – who he called ‘Mr Zinchenko’ – a stiff reminder that he is more experienced, and that the Quadruple is impossible.
But days later, he said it is OK for the players to think about making myth into reality, as long as they stay focused on the job in hand, which is winning the next match.
“The dreams are dreams, they can think of that - it’s OK,” said the manager. “My advice is not do it.
“If they want to think about it, it’s good, it’s simple, if they want to think about trophies they have to win tomorrow. After they can think about trophies, to win tomorrow they have to be focused tomorrow.”
One big advantage City have is that, unless they have a catastrophic international break, they have a full squad from which to choose.
Not only does that allow a great degree of rotation, it also means competition for places is at a premium.
Foden has been outstanding this season but he faces a fight for a place in the team - for both City and England - every time he steps onto the pitch.
“It’s hard to get a place (in the England team),” said Foden. “There are so many great talents in the attacking third, so I do feel sorry for him (Southgate) a bit having to pick 11. It’s very difficult and all I can do is keep fighting for my place. That’s all I can do really.
“When you are in a good run of form, your confidence is always higher than normal so, yes, I feel full of confidence at the moment and I am really enjoying my games. So is this the most confident I have felt in my career? Probably... yes.
It’s hard to say unstoppable but I feel like I am full of confidence.”
But Foden, who turns 21 the day before the Champions League final in May, is uppermost in Guardiola’s mind when it comes to team selection these days, and that is feeding the youngster’s self-belief.
“It’s really important to be consistent with your club,” he said. “I want to just take that form into England. Some players in the past have struggled with performing for their clubs and with England as well, so I want to take the form and hopefully just play the same way. I want to do what I do best.
“If I don’t get picked I will just keep working hard and try and improve. I am still only 20 and got a lot to improve. I’ve had to work really hard to be here now and I continue to keep working hard and am hopeful to go to a big tournament and do well. That’s my aim.”