Foden reaps rewards from shuffling of pack
CITY confirmed their starting lineup to face Brighton and Hove Albion at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon there was an element of surprise to it to say the least.
That was because Pep Guardiola, for the first time since the goalless draw with Southampton last month, left Kevin De Bruyne on the substitutes bench, instead favouring a central-midfield three of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri.
But anyone that may have, just for a split second, considered that Guardiola was being in any way cautious will have been left with egg on their face after just 31 minutes.
City were rampant, ripping through Brighton, frequently down the middle of the pitch, time and time again -- and found themselves 3-0 up just past the half hour mark.
Phil Foden was the biggest beneficiary of City’s approach, scoring twice to double his tally of goals for the season to four.
It is now four goals in nine appearances for the England international this season and three in his last three Premier League appearances.
Born into the City first-team squad
Foden now finds himself spearheading City’s attack, being deployed in the false nine position
as a central midfielder, Foden now finds himself spearheading City’s attack, being deployed in the false nine position, with Gabriel Jesus – on paper a more natural striker – to his right and £100million man Jack Grealish to his left. Considering City were desperate to add a new striker to their ranks during the summer, not many probably would have predicted that it would be Foden that would end up leading the line. After humiliating James Milner at Anfield three weeks ago, everyone expected Foden to continue playing on the left of City’s front three. He was outstanding against Liverpool and it raised questions about where his performance would leave Grealish to produce his own magic.
Yet since dazzling at Anfield, Foden has not graced the left flank again, instead starting in the false nine role in City’s last three matches and thriving in it. It really does beg the question: is there an end to this boy’s talents? Probably not, is the answer. His display at Brighton, which also featured an assist, could now have a domino effect on the rest of City’s squad, certainly the midfielders. Guardiola has an array of options when it comes to picking his midfield trio and on current form it is an absolute given that Bernardo has to play, as does Rodri, as he is the only realistic option, certainly on current form, that has to play and offer a sense of protection to the defensive line behind him.
That means Foden’s inspired form in the false nine role could have a major impact on De Bruyne and Gundogan’s battle to complete City’s midfield trio.