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Published on 2024-02-01 16:09:41
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City may have found their ultimate David Silva replacement already within the first-team squad, based on recent interview comments.
The legendary former Spain international, David Silva, is widely regarded as one of Manchester City and the Premier League’s greatest ever players.
Despite Silva’s departure from the club in 2019, Manchester City has struggled to find a player who matches his profile. However, some within the club have long believed that Phil Foden could be a potential successor to Silva.
Since breaking into Pep Guardiola’s squad in 2017, Phil Foden has been utilized in various positions, from left-back to false-nine. This season, Foden has been trusted in the attacking midfield role, filling in for the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, who was injured for the first half of the season.
In a recent interview with ManCity.com, Phil Foden revealed that he believes he suits operating in the central role in matches where opposition players and defenses sit deep and defend their goal with numbers..
He described himself as an energetic player who likes to create and thinks he can unlock the defense and help the team score important goals, especially when playing against teams defending in numbers.
“When we play teams who have a low block, I’m somebody who likes to do a lot of movements, find space in behind, play balls to feet and make runs in behind,” Foden explained.
“I’m an energetic player who likes to create, so I actually think it suits me to play against teams who defend in numbers.
“I like to think I’m going to be the one who unlocks the defence and help the team score important goals, so I’m delighted by the way things are going this season. Is it as well as I’ve played for City? I’d say so, yeah.”
Foden’s playing style, as a left-footed player operating in small spaces and breaking the lines, is reminiscent of the David Silva days at the Etihad, and Foden himself admitted that he learned a lot directly from the legendary Spanish playmaker during his time at Manchester City.
With De Bruyne’s return to the side, Foden may have opportunities to excel in the attacking midfield role, but there could also be occasions when Guardiola leans towards starting him out wide. Manchester City’s next game is on Monday night against Brentford in Premier League action.
Read Original article on City Xtra
