If you were the manager of Manchester City, how would you feel to miss your immortal player for four to six weeks? Disillusioned right!
That’s what Pep Guardiola would have felt to miss Kevin De Bruyne if he did not have a replacement readily available in his playing XI. Yes, I am talking about City’s future sensation Phil Foden who will have to take forward the baton of number 19 for a month or so.
While last season it was Bernardo Silva to have taken the role of goal maker in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence, this time around Phil Foden seems to be the one stepping into the Belgians shoes. In this article, I will be talking about why Phil Foden can nullify KDB’s absence and help City regain the top spot.
The academy graduate for the aplenty time in his season has been termed to be a shadow of David Silva and was the main reason why the Blues did not go behind any winger in this transfer window.
Phil Foden has, however, turned into a vital man for Pep Guardiola and his importance was visible in the game against Aston Villa when the manager subbed Raheem Sterling and not the 20-year-old youngster.
He has been used as an attacking Wiseman for this season but is a perfect candidate to take over the number 10 position of Kevin De Bruyne because of his versatile nature of play. Manchester City’s golden boy is creating chances, converting half-chances, and has been ridiculing the defence of oppositions, just like De Bruyne.
Pep Guardiola after the Cheltenham win talked about the versatility that Phil brings into his squad, hinting that the Englishman could take De Bruyne’s position at number 10.
“Phil can play in the middle, can play winger, can play in a false nine position upfront. He’s playing really well, again in the right moment he scored a goal,” the manager said.
Foden has been trusted immensely by Guardiola this season and has already made eight starts for his team. The son of Manchester City has scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists already with a pass accuracy of 88%. He has looked composed with the ball under his feet, scary while moving forward, and unstoppable when in his zone of play.
The youngster has both the aptitude and attitude to play as a creative midfielder and has shown glimpses of the same, more often than not. The absence of De Bruyne may come in as a blessing in disguise for Manchester City and Phil with the latter bringing his A-game to play to negate the pressure of Kevin’s absence.
The “irreplaceable” assist king can now be bettered! Or can he? We will get to know in a month’s time.
