‘Elite mentality’, ‘he’s going straight to the top’ – Man City fans react as Phil Foden Reveals Rejecting Sergio Aguero’s Offer of Iconic No.10 Shirt

Phil Foden has confirmed Sergio Aguero wanted to give him the number 10 shirt at Manchester City after he left the club.

Despite his young age, the Manchester City academy graduate emerged as one of his side’s most reliable performers on the biggest stage, particularly during the run to their first-ever Champions League final.

Aguero parted ways with City last summer after a remarkable 10-year spell at the Etihad, during which time he won five Premier League titles and became the club’s record goal scorer.

Foden has revealed that Aguero offered him his shirt number when he left the club but the England international turned it down, keeping the unusual number of 47 instead.

“I did think about it,” Foden said.

“The 10 shirt is such a big number in the club, but I just have a thing with 47. I’d like to create my own legacy and keep that number.”

These Foden’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

De Bruyne rejected it
Foden rejected it
This club and humility https://t.co/A8NN9E7Ilq

— • (@TaurusOcera) February 19, 2022

Correct decision undoubtedly

— Baldiola (@TeacherOfBall) February 19, 2022

Elite mentality https://t.co/Csn1e4Bm5P

— Remy (@Remysenpaii) February 19, 2022

he’s going straight to the top https://t.co/s4Uzp1hMF3

— Way2Sexy (@usiphil4) February 19, 2022

The 47 will become iconic

— 𝗡𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼🇧🇼 (@nandomcfc) February 19, 2022

Foden 47 is special to him imo

— Moses Onduso (@MosesOnduso5) February 19, 2022

I love that so many of our best players have built a legacy with numbers outside of 1 to 11 https://t.co/F3q6aRlAOW

— 𝙽𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝙼𝙲𝙵𝙲 🇦🇷🇧🇷 🦈 (@NickMCFC1894) February 19, 2022

Manchester City later gave the number 10 shirt to Jack Grealish when he joined in a club record £100m move from Aston Villa in August.

Speaking back in May ahead of Grealish’s move to the Etihad, Aguero said he hoped Foden would be given his number.

“I think the number 10 shirt should be given to Phil Foden,” said the former Argentina international in a Twitch stream.

“Some say Kevin [De Bruyne]. The thing is, I believe Kevin used his number [17] at other clubs, so I don’t think he would change it.

“That’s why I think Phil Foden.”

While the number 10 is generally associated with an endless list of footballing legends, Phil Foden’s individualism is what could well make the number 47 iconic in its own way.