Why Man City Should Build EVERYTHING Around Phil Foden 

Not a City fan, but when Pep decided to move him more central during the Champions League group stage, he came out flying and was playing probably the best I’ve ever seen him play.

Phil is the best player in the world at receiving on the half turn, makes him so dangerous centrally

I’m an arsenal fan but I bloody love Foden. He’s such an easy player on the eye in the mould of David Silva, Hazard, or even Iniesta. If his name was Felipe and he spoke Spanish or Portuguese he would walk straight into the starting 11 of any team in the world

Well Phil did learn from the master of tight spaces in David Silva. So he had some great mentoring.

I swear to god if England can't win anything with this lad, plus Kane, Bellingham, Saka and the rest.... we are fucking cursed 😂

Foden was injured and then had appendicitis last season, that is why he wasn't in Pep's starting XI at the end of the season.

A city fan here, I think Pep after the Sheffield game decided to play him centrally, with KDB occupying a deeper role. I also think Central Foden is why Grealish and Doku were not selected for Brentford, and why Gvardiol is being selected every game, because Josko holds the wing for Foden perfectly, allowing him (Foden) to drift into free spaces and score hatricks. The lesson is now written in stone, and you'll see less of Foden winger, mark this comment Adam

As De Bruyne gets older and more prone to injury he should play a bit deeper kind of how Modric plays for Madrid so he can preserve his energy and that will the likes of Foden and Alvarez to thrive.

You are 100% correct. I’m sure Phil will be City and England captain in the not too distant future. He can play anywhere on the pitch but central midfield is his most effective position, he’s quick thinking and has remarkable control and balance. He will score loads of goals too if he is given more playing time down the middle.

Lol, he's not leaving because he knows his time to be the main man will come, as Kevin's came after Agüero couldn't start every game and unfortunately Kevin isn't getting any younger... And also he's a City fan trough and trough, there's no better place for him than at home

It’s not that the other Adam is bad but this Adam is just so captivating

Foden is a magician

He's the successor to KDB. Not a replicate, the system will change when KDB leaves, but it really could be magical if Pep and Foden stick the landing. There's been a lot of controversy around Pep's use of Foden, but I think he's set Foden up for a brilliant, *long* career as City's centre (and maybe captain). I'm really looking forward to this new KDB-Foden dynamic as well while we have it.

Foden and Wirtz are two of my fav players atm. Free roaming CAMs is what I’d label them. Pedri used to be like this at Las Palmas, but since joining Barca it seems like we’ve restricted him. Hopefully our next coach can turn Pedri into this type of player again.

City has just so much quality in its squad and the coach is superb too. So... I don't know. I honestly believe they can do the trebble again this season.

England should be playing Foden, Bellingham, and Saka behind Kane (all 4 with license to roam as they please). Then behind them you put Rice in a dedicated Ball-Winning Midfielder role at 6, Trent in a right-sided Deep Playmaking 8 role, Chilwell/Shaw at LB, Stones in his hybrid CB/DCM role, a dedicated CB to cover (doesn't matter who, there are a few candidates), Walker at RB. Would be devastating.

100%. He’s massively underrated.

It always boils down to “he should leave City.” Great analysis ends with an idiotic conclusion

He learnt from the half turn master David silva

I’m honestly convinced Foden has a magnet attached to his feet. The ball always seems to stick to him like glue, wtf?

Is there anyone better than him on the half-turn?

Great content, very engaging

He loves being there as he has more options left and right. He has lethal close control and turns. In the UCL Final he took a pass and swivelled and was straight in on goal in blink of an eye

Thanks for the video. Agree 100%. But also consider this: Foden might be fine winning everything at Man City and being fully himself with the English national Team a bit in the same way Griezman is doing it concurrently at Atletico and with the French a national team. What do you think?

Good but conclusion is silly. City plan long term. Foden was NOT as effective the last 3 years in the middle. KDB is entering the twilight. From 25-30 yrs old, Foden will be the focal point. Until then, you adapt KDB depending on the game. Pep always sets up based on the opponent. In this game Kev went wide often to serve the 3 attackers. Vs Arsenal and Liverpool, you will need Kev central for control. There is no ONE right way to move these players around. Don’t assign them single positions. Can’t argue when the results last year…

Phoden is what Barcelona thought Pedri would be. But Phoden is a different breed. Pep called him the most talented player he had ever coached; and he coached Messi.

Another quality take, Adam! Couldnt agree more

When haaland came in scoring hattricks like it was nothing, it was “make him the center of the team”, when he got injured and alvarez took over it was “make him the center of the team”, when rodri missed a few games and people realized he hasn’t lost in like a year it was “make him the center of the team”, when kdb came back from injury it was “make him the center of the team”, and now that foden scored a hattrick it’s the same thing. I mean I wouldn’t be surprised if Ederson gets 3 saves and a clean sheet and they’ll start saying he needs to be the center of the team😭

I agree. Phil at 10 and KBD deeper feeding him in. I like deep Kev.

Foden moving central from the half space in between the CDM and CBs (distracted by Haaland) and receiving the ball on the half turn is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

The best football analysis videos on the planet

Well done!

The real Star boy

In pep system of 4-4-2 press, a CM has to the defensive dirty work but sadly Phil´s defensive output is less. Either guardiola can play him as free flowing 10, which right now is owned by KDB and he is best in that position too or Phil has to be defensive juggernaut like Gundogan or maybe atleast the level of David silva. Asking KDB to do the CM role will decrease his creative output and his age won’t be supporting seeing his injury track. Or foden can play as LM, and allowed to drift inside and a LB can run in that winger channel, which right now guardiola is doing

KDB is the city captain right now, therefore he will leave in a season or two. In that time Foden can start hitting his creative peak and take over as the creative force in the midfield.

As a Liverpool fan, I used to marvel at Mahrez's first touch. Right up there with the most elegant footballers I've seen play. Foden has a touch that's as good if not better. I think the problem is he makes it look like anyone could do it. That it's the pass that makes the move rather than his body position and touch. A bit like Allison in goals for us. Underrated.

Pep knows this. But Gareth Southgate preferred to watch jordan henderson fail time and again to get into penalty box against France in the semi final while Foden sat on the bench.

Great breakdown. I do wonder if Phil sticks it out at City for the post-Pep era how he will be utilized under a more aggressive style

Phil has been dangerous since his first team debut. No one better in tight spaces and pockets.

What a season this guy is having 💪

It feels like in the Brentford game KDB played deeper more like a 6 to free up space for Foden.

2:07 this like a Football version of Top Gear, you dont just get a good analysis but some comedy as well.

I think Foden is going to be heir to KDB and Alvarez is going to be heir to Gundogen due to his goal threat. Remember Alvarez trained as CF, not 8 or 10. With Pep, he is going to be a like Gundogen. His passing and key passes has improved massively… that is just my opinion. 😊

If City go to any finals this season foden is definitely in the starting 11

He's still only 23, I think he still has time De Bruyne will probably be finishing soon, and Foden is in a good position to directly replace him He also has at least two World Cups in front of him if everything goes to plan

Some say he's the new Silva (can maybe just about see why) some say, the *Stockport Iniesta (never quite got that one) for me, his style of play reminds me of a home-grown great who wasn't quite as glamorous perhaps... (Peter Beardsley)

Finally subscribed

Nice invisible man trick at 1:48!

If England can find a way to get Foden and Bellingham both playing in those central attacking areas, alongside Kane, they could win everything. Also, if he does eventually want to be a focal point, I'd quite like it if he joined his mate Cole Palmer and came to save Chelsea.

You honestly believe Foden's role at Manchester City is going to stay the same going forward??🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Phil is 23, Pep has groomed his development perfectly. Bringing Foden along deliberately. Having him play in multiple positions. And making Phil learn from the midfield masters in front of him. Which has turned Foden into a complete footballer. Who can perform various roles for the team. All while maintaining Phil's youthful exuberance. Unlike how other managers have road their "starboy" into the ground. Stagnating their development. KDB's on the back 9 of his career. And who do you think will takeover as City's creative spark in midfield..? Phillip Walter Foden!💯

2nd most technical player when receiving the ball i've ever seen

Very shortsighted. What do you think pep is moulding him into at city...

I think it has always been a confidence and stamina issue. His work rate this season has been phenomenal and Pep has constantly mentioned that he always play at one tempo and he needs to slow down. Foden has been doing that this season and even in the brentford game he constantly demanded the ball even from KDB because he knew he could create something or score. And he did

I mean, Brentford game was rather a proof that city still need to play around KDB and Halaand. Foden was just smart enough to thrive on the relatively low focus on him. When there was no Haaland or KDB, Foden struggled along with the team to create something. Of course I think he has the potential to be a great creator like KDB or David Silva, but not just yet.

He is the best at tight space on Epl right now. Remind me of Hazard a lot

I am sure the manager would be grateful for all suggestions.

He's position is an Attacking Midfielder not on the left or right. He operates with ease behind the striker/s.

I think Foden will eventually play the same role as Messi had for Barcelona.

Let’s hope so, that will end City’s dominance!!

And England!!

Already subscribed but have a 'Like' and a comment for the Al Gore rhythm. 👍

He should play central attacking midfielder

The best

Savio signing announcement just killed future wing occupation for Foden. Future links to right wingers continuing means middle is the future for Foden nothing less. Pep has been building him up to to this role and Foden is showing maturity as player. It just the only the beginning…

Phil Foden is City ; city as fodcity UpTo 47.. 47.. 47 song 47.. 47... 47.. .

He could be like Thomas Muller

Phil sees space. Spaceman Phil.

As much as I love foden and think England should have built the team around him. But for city they still have KDB. And until he retires Foden is never going to be the main man.

I've realised that since the absence of Kevin and Haaland ,Man city can now penetrate team's defences. and Man city can pass Haaland through the toughest defences. It was tested but it isn't foolproof. .

Pep is cooking another monster

City won the treble without building everything around him so I disagree. But he should be starting centrally.

You mean he is being asked to be a TEAM player, not a utd style new "superstar", that usually end up playing for Norwich standard clubs.

I get this but city have kinda changed the way they play ... kdb drifts wide now and doku / jack / foden are normally in the half spaces ...or just going into the center. I think pep is really trying to overload the center by pushing your best crosser and defenders wide but having your best 1v1 players in the center

Adam C explains way better about Man City than City fan Adam does. Just wow!

If City doesn't want him Liverpool will gladly take him and we will give him what he wants

Will Southgate utilise this for England? He has a conundrum with so much young England talent that is available, or will he just rely on the old guard?

Nobody has to drag Man City under Guardiola, least of all Phil Foden

I think you had read my coments over phil foden 😂, as i said he the one that make the city plan from guardiola head and coach carried out. I do mean what i said , do you read it ,yes? 😂

Alison saved us against his shot

nah, foden may be the future, but KDB is still the present. you built around KDB

He’s only 23 bro, by the time he’s 26, Kev has already left

Let’s be honest, De bruyne won’t be there forever. He’s 32 with an injury prone hamstring. Sure he’s playing on another level right now, but he might even move to Saudi league this summer. Foden is the next guy up

...... can be very very wrong.......... I'm told. 😂😂

You are wrong. Sorry, love Phil but this is NOT how Pep or Manchester City do things. They don't build everything around any player. All players can get dropped. Proof? Our two most "important players" have been out for months. We still scored goals, we still won games. The team still gets on the field and still plays the game.

Bro who is the better player Saka or fodon please tell me 🙏

He'd be worth £250m if his name was Felipe Fodinho

1

You non city fans always on the “grass is greener on the other side”…ask Jao..ask Gabe..ask Ikay

Foden is not leaving City 😂

To think Chelsea fans would swear on there mother's that Mount was better than Foden 3 or 4 seasons ago. 🤣😂🤣 (And I'm a Man U fan 🫣).

I am split. I think that he is quite good at carrying the ball forward but I also think that he is as prone to mistakes as many of the Chelsea squad While the strategy might work with some of the weaker teams, Ultimately the best solution is to have Kdb feeding halaand weighted passes

slay

He’s better than Palmer

He doesnt know when to stop when to go thats why hes not good in central

😅😅😅not yet he's good buh at times too proud

Foden>Haaland

short sighted analysis

Rice , Bellingham and.. Foden? trent? Both ain't any good at defensive actions

Foden doesn't play up the middle or to the left bc of Alvarez. If Foden spoke Spanish he'd be preferred.

Be nice to see him playing non league.