Pep Guardiola is eyeing up a brand new role in the Manchester City midfield for the ever-developing Phil Foden, speaking during a recent press conference.
The attacking midfielder has had a relatively steady start to the new campaign, fresh off the back of his Premier League Player of the Season and PFA Men’s Player’s Player of the Season winning outing for Manchester City last year.
Having featured briefly for Pep Guardiola’s side on the opening weekend of the ongoing campaign against Chelsea, Foden was then sidelined for several weeks after battling through an extended period of illness.
But upon his return to the matchday squad, Foden has reintegrated himself strongly, largely operating in the attacking midfield role for Manchester City, and taking Player of the Match accolades on matchdays two and three of the UEFA Champions League in particular.
And while Manchester City are likely to be content with Foden’s output when deployed in the attacking midfield role, Pep Guardiola could be on the verge of having other ideas as to where the England international is most effective in certain games.
Speaking during a recent press conference, and when quizzed on the possibility of Foden being utilised deeper, Guardiola explained, “When they (the opposition) defend deep, dropping a little bit to get the ball in front of the halfway and using his incredible potential to shoot from the 18-yard box, we have to use it. That’s for sure.”
Guardiola continued, “I prefer Phil close to Erling (Haaland) because his sense of goal is unique.
“But I have to admit when he drops and shoots, like for example the goal against West Ham to win the Premier League last season – this type of goals – or at the Bernabeu from the 18-yard box, I think he is a really, really good player and we can use it when the opponents defend so, so deep.”
With Manchester City experiencing an ongoing fitness battle in the centre of the park and in wide positions, Foden could be utilised in a number of roles across the coming weeks, and is unlikely to be afforded rest either.
Manchester City embark on a run of successive away trips and having travelled to Tottenham for the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night, they now face fixtures across the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium are Manchester City’s next opponents, before a trip to Sporting Lisbon awaits on matchday four of the Champions League, rounding off another block of fixtures before the international break by travelling to Brighton & Hove Albion.
