2019/20 will mark the end of Manchester City’s ten-year love affair with the one they call ‘El Mago’. David Silva has racked up more than 400 games for the blues, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s heaviest hitters in the process. Unfortunately for City, the silky Spaniard has decided that this season will be his last in Manchester. Fortunately, they won’t have to look far for his long-term replacement. Or at least, they shouldn’t…
Born in Stockport in the year 2000, Phil Foden was welcomed into Manchester City’s youth ranks at the tender age of nine. In an academy buoyed by newfound riches, Foden’s talent quickly became apparent even in a stellar youth side involving Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz, who have since moved on to the bright lights of Dortmund and Real Madrid.
Word about Foden truly began to spread, however, when he was awarded the Golden Ball at the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. Previously won by the likes of Toni Kroos and Cesc Fabregas, Foden’s individual triumph raised plenty of eyebrows in the football world. Meanwhile, Foden’s opportunities in City’s first team proved to be scarce until last season, finally making his mark with an impressive seven goals in 26 appearances, many of them from the bench. This season has continued in much the same way, grasping limited opportunities for game time and impressing in the process, particularly in cup fixtures where he has started with greater regularity.
Unfortunately for Foden, gaining a lasting foothold in a City midfield headlined by Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva has been nigh on impossible. Talent aside, unseating one of the Premier League greats as a teenager is simply unrealistic. Patiently waiting for the nod, the local lad has taken the opportunity to hone his craft among the finest midfielders in the world whilst under Pep Guardiola’s expert tutelage.
With Silva’s departure imminent, many suspect Foden’s watershed moment is on the horizon. An energetic midfielder with a propensity to drive forward, an eye for goal and a defence splitting pass, Pep Guardiola stated recently that “Phil is the most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager”. As a teenager who has already been branded ‘the Stockport Iniesta’, such high praise should come as no surprise. His introductions from the bench have produced excitement at the Etihad, but as the one they call “Pep’s boy” approaches 20, his increase in responsibility should go hand in hand with Silva’s exit.
City’s tentative links with the likes of Isco and Jack Grealish this January will most likely come to nothing. Indeed, any Silva replacement would be ill-advised given the ability of Foden, Bernardo or Gundogan to step up to the plate. As Liverpool have effectively wrapped up the league with four months to spare, the remainder of City’s season is reduced to a formality so long as Champions League football is assured for the next campaign. With this in mind, why not phase Foden into the starting line-up now? If this was already the plan for next season, which it would seemingly have to have been if City were to keep hold of such a precocious talent, then it seems logical that they should seek to integrate Silva’s replacement as soon as possible in preparation for a fresh title charge.
Foden’s lack of game time is likely to exclude him from Gareth Southgate’s plans for the upcoming Euros. With this in mind, Foden has shown remarkable patience to await his chance under Guardiola. Former teammate Jadon Sancho has reached superstardom since his move to the Bundesliga, and his 14 goal haul this season stands him in good stead to be one of England’s key men at the tournament. Undoubtedly the progress of Foden’s similarly revered peers will be weighing on his mind. The waiting game for Phil Foden must come to an end. As one City legend departs, a prodigious talent must be thrown into the deep end to take his place.
Guapo Football 