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Man City manager Pep Guardiola has compared his young superstar Phil Foden to club legend David Silva.
As per LiveScore, the Man City boss believes his 22-year-old has similar qualities to those of former player Silva, who left the club a legend in 2020. The 37-year-old is currently playing in La Liga for Real Sociedad.
Man City boss compares Foden to Silva
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Silva began his career in Manchester as a winger when he arrived from Valencia in 2010, later going on to become one of the finest central midfielders of his generation.
And current Man City star Foden is seemingly following a similar trajectory, with the youngster largely playing on the wing but recently finding himself in a more central role.
Silva scored 77 goals and made 140 assists from his 436 appearances at the club, with Foden currently on 54 goals and 37 assists from his 195 matches.
“He can play inside, but inside you have more attributes to do more things and pay attention more because there are more people, it is not just ‘I am going to press and run’, it is when and where,” Guardiola said of Foden.
“The spaces are minor. Wider you have time but what is important is Phil has the quality to play in these small, small spaces, it is not easy to find.
“Bernardo [Silva] and David Silva can do it and Gundo goes close to the pockets of the central defenders – Phil has the quality and ability to do it.”
Foden “really good in small spaces”
Foden was handed a start from Guardiola in Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final meeting with Southampton, but failed to have any real impact in the 2-0 loss at St Mary’s.
The youngster did, however, shine brightly in the FA Cup third round victory over Chelsea earlier this month. Foden grabbed a goal and an assist in the 4-0 win, with his manager hugely impressed by his all-round display.
“He is really good in small spaces, the goal he scored [against Chelsea], he is there,” added Guardiola. “The action is good, the overlap from Kyle [Walker] and the right moment, the right tempo, the pass from Riyad [Mahrez], but in that moment he is there and to score a goal you have to be there.
“In that position, especially when they play five at the back it is important to have an extra player there. We maybe missed it a bit [in the draw] against Everton.
“Phil has these attributes. Of course he can play wider on both sides, he played top class in the last years playing wider but he can play in the middle.”
Man City preparing for crucial period
Man City now have a hugely challenging period ahead of them, with a Manchester Derby up next for Guardiola’s men on Saturday. This is followed by a meeting with fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur.
Wolves then travel to the Etihad, also in Premier League action, with an FA Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal arriving shortly after.
The Champions League knockout stages are also fast approaching, with Man City drawn against German side RB Leipzig in the last 16 of the competition.
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