THE WORLD AT HIS FEET
Footballer of the Year Phil Foden is 23 and has already won five league titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and a European Cup... and he says: ‘There are so many things I can improve on’
PHIL FODEN put an extra level of pressure on himself at the start of the season to become the central figure in Manchester City’s success story.
Manager Pep Guardiola witnessed the break-up of last season’s Treble-winning side with the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez.
But Foden has made their exits seem irrelevant, revelling in his favoured role in the middle rather than out wide.
He has reaped rich rewards with 17 goals in the Premier League, plus eight assists, the kind of form that made him a deserved winner of the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award (the Mirror’s John Cross, who is FWA chair, hands him the trophy, far right).
Foden said: “I said at the start of the season I wanted to be one of the best players in the league and my game has come on loads.
“I’ve moved more central, which is where I see myself in the long term. I’m playing with more freedom, playing with a smile on my face and I’m really enjoying myself. Being an attacking player at City, you have a responsibility to score goals. I put that pressure on myself and I like that pressure.
“I’m delighted with the outcome because I’ve scored goals, I’ve assisted goals and I’ve come on.
“I had to step up and I showed that I can do that.
“Hopefully, this season is just the start. I think I’ve shown I can fulfil my ambition of becoming one of the best players in the league.”
Foden, who made his City debut in November 2017 against Feyenoord in a Champions League game, coming on as a 75th-minute sub for Yaya Toure, is not 24
until May 28 but has already been a part of five title-winning squads (the first, circle). He has also won a Champions League (below), European Super Cup, two FA Cups and four League Cups. If he carries on like this he could become the most decorated player in English football history.
But he admits this season has been extra special because of the drive to become the first team in English top-flight history to win four consecutive titles.
“It’s never been done, which only goes to show how hard it is to do. That’s what drives us on and makes us even more determined,” said Foden, who insists they are not taking the final-day fixture against West Ham for granted. “I feel like everyone is saying the Premier League is wrapped up, but the players aren’t feeling that way. It’s a tough West Ham side, we need the right mentality and then we can play to our best. “I always had the dream. It was so challenging with the players ahead of me, but I kept working hard and I’m delighted now to get my rewards. “I feel like it means a little bit more to me because I grew up in the academy and played in every age group.”
Foden still has goals of his own despite a huge haul of winners’ medals at such a tender age. But his desire to get better and improve is what drives him on.
He said: “There are so many things I can improve upon. The defensive side of my game. My weak foot. There’s so many things I can put on the list.”
Foden, capped 33 times for England, added: “I’m not even 24 yet! My ambition is to keep winning. The hunger is in me is to keep winning, to keep lifting trophies. I don’t think that will change.”