While Phil Foden has long been dubbed 'the Stockport Iniesta', the Manchester City midfielder’s future could lie in a deeper role that would make him the Stockport Busquets.
Pep Guardiola did not burden the England international with comparisons to two of the constants in his all-conquering Barcelona team, in Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. However, he did voice the view that as Foden matures, he may end up as a holding midfielder.
Guardiola has tended to use Foden in a more advanced position and appreciates the versatility that enables him to operate anywhere in the front four but he believes experience will equip him to operate where reading the game becomes more important.
Foden has started City’s last four Champions League games and the 20-year-old is expected to begin against Marseille on Wednesday.
“In this moment I see him playing up front because he is dynamic, the sense of goal, he helps us with the first pressure and then afterwards backwards,” said Guardiola.
“I’m pretty sure that with age – when he becomes 24 or 25 – he will be able to play more in defensive midfield. He has to understand situations sometimes but it is part of the age. Now he can play both wings, behind the striker or a striker. As a manager having someone who can play in several positions is fundamental.”
Foden has not started in the Premier League since October. But while Guardiola believes his decision-making has to improve, he pronounced himself pleased with his progress.
“Phil has been top all season,” he added. “Since the first game against Wolves, he played so good. Phil is young but has a specific energy and quality. He has to improve in the final decisions in 18-yard box, he has to be more patient in that moment, but that is his age. We are delighted to have him. He is an incredible, important player for us; he knows it and the team knows it.”
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City celebrate Pep's special day with win over Fulham
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Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates with Kevin De Bruyne after scoring the opening goal in their 2-0 win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, December 6. AP -
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Reuters -
Raheem Sterling scores Manchester City's first goal. EPA -
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne surges away from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Ola Aina of Fulham. AP -
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson claims the ball ahead of teammate Ruben Dias and Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid. Reuters -
Fulham's Ademola Lookman. Reuters -
Fulham's Joachim Andersen fouls Raheem Sterling to earn City a penalty. Getty -
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne makes it 2-0 from the penalty spot. Reuters -
Fulham manager Scott Parker speaks to the fourth official. AFP -
Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola saves a shot from Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne. Reuterts -
City's Joao Cancelo slides in to challenge Ivan Cavaleiro of Fulham. EPA -
Manchester City defender John Stones. AFP -
City manager Pep Guardiola and Antonee Robinson of Fulham. Getty -
Fulham's Mario Lemina barges over Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy. Reuters
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City could welcome back an altogether more experienced option in their attack. Sergio Aguero has only featured for 12 minutes in the last six weeks but Guardiola said: “In the last two or three days he’s been part of the training, the reaction and the niggles from the recent past have disappeared. We’ll see his reaction in his body. Maybe he’ll be on the bench.”
Guardiola shrugged off mentions of Saturday's Manchester derby. "I don't rotate players," he said. "Every game we try to put the best team." And yet he made no substitutions in the 2-0 win over Fulham and changes are expected on Wednesday, with City having already won Group C. "I'm not a guy who puts 11 players out all season," he added.
It could mean a recall for club captain Fernandinho who, like his fellow veteran Aguero, has been sidelined by injury.
The Brazilian’s only start since September came in last week’s stalemate in Portugal and Guardiola said: “He was awesome against Porto. He is struggling to play three games a week, not like six or seven years ago. We try to handle the minutes and efforts. His influence is huge and we’ll need it.”
Guardiola could give a Champions League debut to goalkeeper Zack Steffen. “Walking out and hearing the song is going to be really special for me,” said the United States international, who is looking forward to facing Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. “He has been one of my idols,” he explained.
A fellow American – and a former Manchester United player – is his biggest influence. “My mannerisms and the way I play is most similar to Tim Howard,” he explained. “When I was growing up, he was pretty much the man for my time.”
