City starlet Foden living the dream
MANCHESTER City youngster Phil Foden admits playing for the team is a dream come true after featuring for the Blues during pre-season.
Foden is from Stockport and has impressed for City during their pre-season tour of America, most notably in the match against rivals Manchester United.
The 17-year-old is honoured to be part of the team, and revealed that it came as a shock to him when he found out that he would be on the tour.
“I was quite surprised. I found out a week before but was delighted to get the call-up,” he said.
“I got the call-up at the last minute and my mum had to bring my passport just before the flight … so thanks to my mum!”
“Being at City from being young, I’ve always wanted to play for the first team and to make my debut so I’d like to thank Pep for trusting me in a massive game like this.
“It was a dream come true. Hopefully I’ve impressed Pep and he can give me a start if he believes in me again.
“It means a lot as he’s such a great manager – I’ve learned a lot from him and appreciate him for starting me.”
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. Playing against Pogba and players like that doesn’t seem real – I’m only 17 so I don’t really know … I’m just delighted.”
City manager Pep Guardiola has been full of praise for Foden during pre-season, and felt that his debut against United was something to behold.
“I don’t have words. I would like to have the right words to describe what I saw,” he said.
“You are lucky guys, believe me, you are the guys who saw his first game in the first team at Manchester City.
“I’ve not seen something like I saw today for a long time. His performance was another level.
“Seventeen years old, and he’s a City player, grew up in the academy. He’s a City fan and loves the club. He’s a gift for us.
He’ll stay training with us and maybe in the season stay with us. He’s special. He played against Pogba, Herrera and after that Carrick. How he plays and creates the chances. I found the real words.
“He is going to play in the next games. He has quality to play in that team. I’m so happy to have him. He’s a Mancunian, a City fan, a humble guy. He’s a fighter. He looks skinny but he’s a strong guy.”
Foden has been capped by England at under-17 level on numerous occasions, and was part of the side that reached the final of the U17 Championships before coming up short to winners Spain.