Guardiola tells ‘shy’ Foden to stop being so respectful

Pep Guardiola has reassured Phil Foden he will get plenty of game time this season, but believes his young midfielder is still too shy to cement his place in Manchester City’s first team.

Guardiola remains full of praise for the England Under-21 international, even though he would like him to be a little more confident when it comes to pushing himself forward for selection.

City’s manager does not want a player who causes trouble behind the scenes, but he accused Foden of showing him too much respect after three years working together.

“He is a shy guy,” Guardiola said. “I would like him to talk more to me, but all the time I go to him and speak to him, so he still looks at me like a little bit [too much] with respect like a manager.

“And, after two or three seasons, it’s not necessary. But it’s normal, he is 19. Now he goes to play for the Under-21s and he is going to play.

“I will decide when he plays. I don’t know when, but that’s going to happen because now we play an incredible amount of games.

“Of course, I have said many times I love this guy. I like him a lot, but it’s Man City and he’s playing alongside De Bruyne, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, David Silva.

“Last game Rodri didn’t play, David Silva didn’t play the previous game. That is the reality in a team that achieved four titles [trophies] last season. If you don’t have this squad, you can’t achieve four titles – impossible. So they have to fight and be patient and work and work.”

Guardiola has also questioned Gareth Southgate’s decision to drop City full-back Kyle Walker from the England squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Belgium and Kosovo.

Walker has been omitted so that Manchester United’s Aaron Wanbissaka can move up into the senior squad for the first time.

“I was a little bit surprised at first,” Guardiola said ahead of today’s home game against Brighton. “We’ll respect the decision. Kyle is coming back stronger. I understand him and support Gareth.”