HOW PEP PATIENCE WITH FODEN PAID BIG DIVIDENDS
PATIENCE has been a virtue throughout Phil Foden’s short, sensational career. It was when he signed for Manchester City aged just eight, when he had so much natural talent and intelligence it was more about nurturing than teaching the nipper.
And it was the same during his late teens when Foden was constantly banging on the first-team door of Pep
Guardiola’s domestic kings.
‘No rush’ was the
Spanish coach’s persistent response to the clamour for the
Etihad wonder-kid to play more often.
Fair to say, Guardiola’s slowly-but-surely approach did the trick.
Nobody questions it any more – thanks to Foden’s stunning impact in the 2020-21 season.
Now, it is the turn of England and their expectant supporters to treat the gifted midfield genius with similar care and attention amid his breakthrough on the world stage.
That is the view of Jim Cassell, City’s former academy director, who oversaw the set-up that spotted and signed Foden in 2008 – beating off competition from all their major north-west rivals.
Cassell, 76, knows what he is talking about, having witnessed Foden’s rise through the City ranks – both first-hand and from afar.
On the eve of England’s crunch Group D opener against Croatia, the legendary Maine Road youth supremo said: “Phil does need patience – from the England fans, particularly.
“I watch a game now and, like everyone, I want to see Phil play.
“Yet we expect him to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate, as the greats do, because he’s that special. “But we must be patient with him this summer and realise he’s still so young. He was only 21 in May.”
Fourteen years have passed since Cassell first saw Foden’s dazzling ability for himself – and immediately recognised City youth scouts Barry Point and Terry John had found something utterly unique.
“We had many quality youngsters but what sticks in my mind about Phil is he was different – he had something you can’t define,” recalled the ex-manchester United trainee.
“A great manipulator of the ball, it was as if he never touched it as he let it run across the body. He had agility and amazing balance, going past people as if not there.
“Then there was this wonderful left foot and, as we’ve seen in the
Premier League last year, he could score goals.
But more than anything was his magnificent football brain. He had terrific awareness for an Under-9s player.”
Daniel Sturridge, Shaun Wright-philips, Micah Richards and Kieran Trippier are just some of the Three Lions who emerged on Cassell’s watch.
In total he helped produce 41 first-team players for City. So how does Foden compare?
“He’s probably the best because he has everything for the modern game,” said Cassell.
“Above all, though, he has a club manager who is patient. Pep deserves huge credit for that.”