Pep Guardiola has advised incoming Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca that Phil Foden must not be sold under any circumstances. Guardiola, who will leave City after Sunday's final Premier League match against Aston Villa, has long regarded the 25-year-old as indispensable.
In the book 'Pep's City: The Making of a Superteam', Guardiola stated: 'We didn't give Foden a new contract by accident. He is the only player that can't be sold under any circumstances, the only one. Not even for 500m euros. Phil's going nowhere, Phil IS City.' Guardiola identified Foden as the natural successor to David Silva and resisted loaning him out during his development.
Foden, who missed out on a place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, has expressed gratitude for Guardiola's guidance. 'To play with him now for so many years has been a blessing. He's certainly helped my game,' Foden said after the FA Cup final. He now aims to impress Maresca, with whom he has previously worked.
Guardiola's departure marks the end of a decade-long tenure in which he won 20 trophies and nurtured several young talents. Foden, a homegrown playmaker, remains central to the club's future plans.
