Phil of potential ..to Phil steam ahead

RESTART TURNING FODEN FROM A RISING STAR INTO A CITY SLICKER

FOR Phil Foden, Project Restart has had more significance than for any other player.

It has proved the launchpad for the young midfielder’s burgeoning career, serving notice he is now ready to play regularly for Manchester City.

Since football resumed last month, Foden has been unstoppable, with four goals, an assist and some breathtaking displays in three Premier League outings.

Pep Guardiola has rationed Foden’s first-team appearances, harnessing his prodigious talent and protecting him as he takes his first steps on a potentially glittering career.

But there can be no more holding back the 20-year-old after his sublime display in City’s 4-0 rout of champions Liverpool proved he is ready to take the step up.

Foden is certain to play a key role in the rest of City’s campaign, in readiness for next season, when he is expected to fill the void created by the departure of David Silva. The World Cup-winning Spaniard is leaving after a decade of on-pitch majesty, yet the loss of arguably City’s greatest player will be tempered by the emergence of Foden as his replacement.

Foden has been dubbed the ‘Stockport Iniesta’, his sublime touch on the ball, ability to glide past opponents and surging runs earning him lofty comparisons with Barcelona’s famed midfielder.

His emergence as a regular for City is also a huge boost for England boss Gareth Southgate, who has resisted including him in his squads because of a lack of regular game-time.

But with Foden having knocked on City’s first-team door last term and barged straight through it this season, an England place is in sight.

He has struck up an intuitive understanding with City teammate Raheem Sterling, which Southgate will surely look to use on the international stage ahead of Euro 2020 next year.

In this kind of irresistible form, Foden would appear to have the edge over players such as James Maddison and Mason Mount, both of whom have already been called up by Southgate.

After his masterclass against Liverpool on Thursday, Guardiola lauded Foden’s character as much as his mesmeric ability on the ball.

“There is not one day when he had a bad face for not playing,” said the manager. “In training, every action is positive.

He’s so fast and so strong defensively. He played against incredible top teams and he was there, always at a high level.

“He’s a City fan but it’s important he trusts us and that he wants to stay here.

“All the managers around the world would love to have Phil. The success we have as managers is because we train incredible players.

“It is incredible that we have him for the next years. He can play as a midfielder, as a winger, as a striker, because he has an incredible sense of goal and vision.

“Gareth Southgate has an incredible talent for the national team. I’ve seen many players, trained incredible players and Phil will be one of them.

“When he takes the ball, he is aggressive against defenders, and shoots and scores. We cannot waste that. It is so difficult to find that quality.”

All bosses would love to have him