Pep Guardiola has made a startling admission about his use of Manchester City's star Phil Foden, confessing he often deploys the player in a position that works 'against his potential'. This revelation comes despite the 25-year-old rediscovering his scintillating best form, brilliantly demonstrated by his match-winning brace against Leeds.
The Positional Debate: Winger vs Central Role
Guardiola finds himself in a fascinating tactical discussion with England manager Thomas Tuchel. While Tuchel exclusively views Foden as a central operator, earmarking him for the No. 10 or false nine roles for the national team, Guardiola acknowledges the logic but sees a different need for his club.
"I agree with Thomas. I like Phil behind the striker, close to the box," Guardiola stated. "The guys who have this sense of goal have to be close to the goal." However, the City boss elaborated on his reasoning for sometimes starting Foden on the flank, highlighting a specific tactical gap in his squad.
Foden's Prolific Impact from the Flank
The statistics powerfully justify Guardiola's decision. Foden's two goals in City's dramatic 3-2 victory over Leeds underscore his vital contribution. This season, he has become the team's second-highest scorer with six goals in all competitions.
This tally is particularly notable as it surpasses the combined goal output of City's other wingers, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Oscar Bobb. Guardiola pointed to this decisive edge, saying, "the other three don't have the sense of goal that we lack a little bit." He emphasised the need for multiple scoring threats beyond Erling Haaland to avoid over-reliance on the striker.
Return to Peak Form and Unwavering Attitude
Guardiola believes Foden is now back to the phenomenal level he displayed in the 2023-24 campaign, a season where he netted 27 goals and was crowned Footballer of the Year. The manager's admiration for the homegrown talent is palpable.
Reflecting on Foden's journey, Guardiola described his initial impact as a teenager: "'Oh my God, what a player'." He praised Foden's consistent growth, labelling him a "joy, a pleasure, a gift" to manage.
Most importantly, Guardiola highlighted Foden's selfless professionalism. Even when asked to play a wider role that might not fully utilise his central prowess, Foden's response is always team-first: "'I want to play right or left. I want to help the team. I want to run.'" This attitude, combined with his rediscovered scoring touch, makes him indispensable for Manchester City, no matter where on the pitch he starts.
