Phil Foden - What Is His Potential?

[B & W]

How about Jadon Sancho? He should have promised him enough first team chances. If you are good enough for starting at Borussia Dortmund, then you are certainly good enough to be the sub for the last 10 mins instead of 50m Bernardo Silva. He keeps stockpiling 50m players for the RW (he has three now), yet he had Sancho and Brahim Diaz, two very highly rated youngsters.

That is not to only criticize Pep on that matter, many top clubs are too afraid to play their youth at an early age. When did the last Juventus academy graduate earn a first team spot? What players did Barcelona, Bayern, Chelsea etc. pull up into the first team from their academy in the last decade? I can only think of Sergi Roberto at Barca and Alaba at Bayern. One first team player in a decade is such a poor record. No excuses for that.

I don't know why you are interested in Juventus youngs, but I think the only one (except for De Ceglie, that was a low level player, and a few youngs with single digit first team participations) is Marchisio, more than 10 years ago.
But now there are some very interesting youngs and perhaps we will see someone in the future. Audero (GK) and Kean have a very good potential.
EDIT: I forgot Giovinco, but he is not a great player, despite being certainly a good one, suitable for a medium team.

 

[Utdstar01]

Has he signed a new deal yet? I think he'd be much better off going elsewhere.

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

Wasted at City under Pep. They don’t believe in young players especially if they didn’t cost a ton.

 

[B & W]

Wasted at City under Pep. They don’t believe in young players especially if they didn’t cost a ton.

Rumors in Italy that Juventus can be interested to sign him. Rumors coming from England, it seems (Mirror). I don't know him. Is he really a good player?

 

[JamiePollocksOG]

Rumors in Italy that Juventus can be interested to sign him. Rumors coming from England, it seems (Mirror). I don't know him. Is he really a good player?

He's just signed a new 6 year contract worth £50k per week.
He's been at City since he was 7 i believe.
He's a City fan.
He's been getting game time for one of the best teams at the age of 18.
Lots of other fans keep saying he should leave City which shows how much potential he has.
He reminds me of a young Paul Gascoigne when he has the ball at his feet.

Has the potential to be a worldy.

 

[B & W]

He's just signed a new 6 year contract worth £50k per week.
He's been at City since he was 7 i believe.
He's a City fan.
He's been getting game time for one of the best teams at the age of 18.
Lots of other fans keep saying he should leave City which shows how much potential he has.
He reminds me of a young Paul Gascoigne when he has the ball at his feet.

Has the potential to be a worldy.

Ok. If he signed a new contract I think that he will not leave the City.
Players manager's sometimes use this rumors as a way to force a team to offer a better contract.
Thank you.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Most world class players will have "broken through" by 18. Is it the case that he's at a club with too much talent and will this hold him back?

 

[Bwuk]

He's in effect competing with David Silva, KdB and Bernardo Silva.

Granted David is a bit older, but the other two will be there for year. It'll be hard for Foden to break though.

 

[charlie9882]

Most world class players will have "broken through" by 18. Is it the case that he's at a club with too much talent and will this hold him back?

I'd argue he has broken through. He's considered a first team player, is getting a new contract at the level of a first team player and has made 10 appearances for the club so far this season. I would expect that number to be at least 20 by the end of the season.

Is that really that terrible for a 5ft7, slight, 18 year midfielder, playing for one of the worlds best teams? Or is it a case people are just calling for him to leave, citing City's recent record with youth, and overlooking the fact he's actually been fairly involved this season for someone so young?

I think David Silva will have one more season in him after this one. By the time Silva leaves, Foden will be 20 and, with Bernardo being moulded to be Silva's natural replacement, Foden will very likely take that spot that Bernardo has been occupying. He could very well be a regular for one of the elite clubs in Europe by that point and a large benefit of him sticking with this squad right now is learning the system whilst he is developing physically to be able to handle the league. He's in a good place right now and can slowly be introduced to the fold.

People are getting swept up in the Jadon Sancho debate, overlooking the fact that 1.) he's a winger and players in this position naturally break through quicker at a younger age and 2.) he's also significantly more developed physically than your average 18 year old and has been for a while.

 

[pacifictheme]

He's just signed a new 6 year contract worth £50k per week.
He's been at City since he was 7 i believe.
He's a City fan.
He's been getting game time for one of the best teams at the age of 18.
Lots of other fans keep saying he should leave City which shows how much potential he has.
He reminds me of a young Paul Gascoigne when he has the ball at his feet.

Has the potential to be a worldy.

No ambition as a player. Hes not getting meaningful minutes really, not consistently. Mahrez was a warning sign, he probably should have gone abroad.

 

[BrianMcClair'sBarnet]

He'll get a decent amount of gametime,likely next season.
People get alittle obsessed in throwing young players into the first team 11 nowadays.
Just chill,man.Let the coaching staff ease these guys in gradually.There's no rush.

Edit: With regards to us, there's already United fans out there getting itchy feet over Gomes and Chong not featuring for the first team.

 

[Cassidy]

No ambition as a player. Hes not getting meaningful minutes really, not consistently. Mahrez was a warning sign, he probably should have gone abroad.

Or maybe he believes he can get in the team.

 

[BrianMcClair'sBarnet]

Or maybe he believes he can get in the team.

Well then he just sounds like your typical arrogant English teenager if that is the case.

 

[Mart1974]

I'd argue he has broken through. He's considered a first team player, is getting a new contract at the level of a first team player and has made 10 appearances for the club so far this season. I would expect that number to be at least 20 by the end of the season.

Is that really that terrible for a 5ft7, slight, 18 year midfielder, playing for one of the worlds best teams? Or is it a case people are just calling for him to leave, citing City's recent record with youth, and overlooking the fact he's actually been fairly involved this season for someone so young?

I think David Silva will have one more season in him after this one. By the time Silva leaves, Foden will be 20 and, with Bernardo being moulded to be Silva's natural replacement, Foden will very likely take that spot that Bernardo has been occupying. He could very well be a regular for one of the elite clubs in Europe by that point and a large benefit of him sticking with this squad right now is learning the system whilst he is developing physically to be able to handle the league. He's in a good place right now and can slowly be introduced to the fold.

People are getting swept up in the Jadon Sancho debate, overlooking the fact that 1.) he's a winger and players in this position naturally break through quicker at a younger age and 2.) he's also significantly more developed physically than your average 18 year old and has been for a while.

Which elite club do you think he will be at?

 

[Cassidy]

Well then he just sounds like your typical arrogant English teenager if that is the case.

I personally think he will start to get some decent game time next season, seems to me people have no patients these days and expect 18 year olds to be playing many games like Messi did.

 

[Moby]

Sancho is better.

 

[Mordownm35]

One of the most unique English talents for a long time. The type of player he is just isn't what England usually produce. People forget he only turned 18 in May so hes still very very young and has plenty of time. I understand people eagerness to see him and the worries he could stagnate if he doesn't get enough game time but at the moment he is getting plenty and will get more.

Best way of putting it is that he has improved tremendously as a footballer since he got back from the World Cup last year. He influences games much more than he did and looks like he belongs at this level when he is playing so he obviously is improving and the minutes he is getting are having the desired effect.

 

[Bob H from Manchester]

Sancho is better.

Nah, you're trying to compare apples with oranges. Sancho is different.

 

[Moby]

Nah, you're trying to compare apples with oranges. Sancho is different.

There's nothing wrong in comparing two players in terms of their talents in their own positions.

 

[steakpie]

I think Foden is really over rated. Physically, he is poor. He doesn't have great pace, height or strength.

Technically, he is excellent but so are hundreds of Spanish players. I haven't seen any pass or bit of vision from Foden that makes me think hes any good.

 

[Bob H from Manchester]

There's nothing wrong in comparing two players in terms of their talents in their own positions.

If you're hapy to compare apples to oranges, then I agree, it's fine.

Truth is that they're very different players with very different skills playing in very different positions but if that doesn't mean anything in your world then why not push the boat out and muse about the comparative footballing skills of DDG and Sanchez?

 

[freshibal]

He won't do anything at city, needs to leave.

 

[charlie9882]

No ambition as a player. Hes not getting meaningful minutes really, not consistently. Mahrez was a warning sign, he probably should have gone abroad.

Because Mahrez the right winger is definitely going to impact Foden's minutes as a central midfielder.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Because Mahrez the right winger is definitely going to impact Foden's minutes as a central midfielder.

Right inside forward is arguably Foden's best position. It's the position he won u17 World Cup best player in.

 

[SqualorVictoria]

Right inside forward is arguably Foden's best position. It's the position he won u17 World Cup best player in.

Well that's very arguable indeed. I think it would be a bit of a waste not to deploy him as a central attacking midfielder. That doesn't mean he would be shit as a winger but still.

 

[charlie9882]

Right inside forward is arguably Foden's best position. It's the position he won u17 World Cup best player in.

Completely disagree. Playing well there in a tournament when he was vastly better than his peers doesn't mean it's his best position. His future most certainly lies in the midfield and it's where he has played the majority of his career.

He is nothing like the type of winger that Pep likes to use. He's more likely to play full back (which we have seen) than on the wing in a Pep team. You also need to consider how different systems can be.

If we're talking about current day City, he will never compete with Mahrez, unless Mahrez is considered for a CM position.

 

[CA1]

My mate knows his brother. His brothers are all big United fans. From what I gather, he's only a City fan because he joined them at a young age. This died in the wool City fan narrative is most likely false.

They reckon Foden is on big, big money and will likely make even more even if he doesn't play that well because the club want this "young, City fan" to try and give their club a more real image.

If he has any sense he'll leave because he won't play more than the odd cameo or game when they've already qualified.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Well that's very arguable indeed. I think it would be a bit of a waste not to deploy him as a central attacking midfielder. That doesn't mean he would be shit as a winger but still.

An inside forward isn't a winger. One of his great strengths is shooting from the edge of the box As a right sided IF he can cut in onto his left and shoot.

Completely disagree. Playing well there in a tournament when he was vastly better than his peers doesn't mean it's his best position. His future most certainly lies in the midfield and it's where he has played the majority of his career.

He is nothing like the type of winger that Pep likes to use. He's more likely to play full back (which we have seen) than on the wing in a Pep team. You also need to consider how different systems can be.

If we're talking about current day City, he will never compete with Mahrez, unless Mahrez is considered for a CM position.

He wasn't vastly better than his teammates in the World Cup. He was one of many standouts.

 

[Thunderhead]

My mate knows his brother. His brothers are all big United fans. From what I gather, he's only a City fan because he joined them at a young age. This died in the wool City fan narrative is most likely false.

They reckon Foden is on big, big money and will likely make even more even if he doesn't play that well because the club want this "young, City fan" to try and give their club a more real image.

If he has any sense he'll leave because he won't play more than the odd cameo or game when they've already qualified.

his mother is a City fan, but who cares on that.

Only 2 or 3 people have an idea on how much he'll play and even at 18 when he's not fully mature playing cameo's for City is better than going on loan somewhere and sitting on the bench when things aren't going right which is what often happens. Leaving has all sorts of risks depending on which club he goes too, a new manager could come in who doesn't want to play football that matches his strengths, at least at City we'll probably play this way for the next few seasons even after Guardiola has gone.

 

[SqualorVictoria]

An inside forward isn't a winger. One of his great strengths is shooting from the edge of the box As a right sided IF he can cut in onto his left and shoot.

Well even an inside forward starts from the wing but anyway. That wasn't the most important thing. And he can just as well (if not better) finish from the left if you've watched some of his highlights from City's under age teams. Not to mention he usually played on the left side of the pitch even back then. The way he dribbles past opponents and finds pockets of spaces, and his vision all determine to me that he has to play more or less central if you want to utilize him to the maximum. You can cut off from play way more opponents with his skillset there.

But of course that doesn't mean that if it weren't for Mahrez, he wouldn't have stood a chance to maybe start a game as a RW, but that's not how City do business, obviously, whether it's sad or not.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Well even an inside forward starts from the wing but anyway. That wasn't the most important thing. And he can just as well (if not better) finish from the left if you've watched some of his highlights from City's under age teams. Not to mention he usually played on the left side of the pitch even back then. The way he dribbles past opponents and finds pockets of spaces, and his vision all determine to me that he has to play more or less central if you want to utilize him to the maximum. You can cut off from play way more opponents with his skillset there.

But of course that doesn't mean that if it weren't for Mahrez, he wouldn't have stood a chance to maybe start a game as a RW, but that's not how City do business, obviously, whether it's sad or not.

I've nothing against Pep playing him deeper given that's where England could use a technical player like him.

 

[Oldgiggsfan]

He's just signed a new 6 year contract worth £50k per week.
He's been at City since he was 7 i believe.
He's a City fan.
He's been getting game time for one of the best teams at the age of 18.
Lots of other fans keep saying he should leave City which shows how much potential he has.
He reminds me of a young Paul Gascoigne when he has the ball at his feet.

Has the potential to be a worldy.

He is nothing like Gazza.

Gazza at Newcastle had brute strength plus world class technical ability.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

I think Foden is really over rated. Physically, he is poor. He doesn't have great pace, height or strength.

Technically, he is excellent but so are hundreds of Spanish players. I haven't seen any pass or bit of vision from Foden that makes me think hes any good.

I wouldn't go as far as you, but I don't think he has the makings of a top player if i'm being perfectly honest. The fact Pep doesn't even trust him to start in any big games tells you alot IMO.

 

[Sergioooo]

My mate knows his brother. His brothers are all big United fans. From what I gather, he's only a City fan because he joined them at a young age. This died in the wool City fan narrative is most likely false.

They reckon Foden is on big, big money and will likely make even more even if he doesn't play that well because the club want this "young, City fan" to try and give their club a more real image.

If he has any sense he'll leave because he won't play more than the odd cameo or game when they've already qualified.

Let's be honest you don't actually know the family do you?

To start with both of his parents are big city fans.

 

[Thunderhead]

I wouldn't go as far as you, but I don't think he has the makings of a top player if i'm being perfectly honest. The fact Pep doesn't even trust him to start in any big games tells you alot IMO.

I wouldn't disagree with your first point, time will tell but to say Pep doesn't trust an 18 year old in big games is a bit off, how many managers at top clubs are trusting 18 year olds at the moment?

 

[Karel Podolsky]

I think Foden is really over rated. Physically, he is poor. He doesn't have great pace, height or strength.

I don't disagree with you, he's a bit overrated (Wilshere was better), but your comment reminds me of David Silva and Bernardo Silva.

 

[Treble]

Most world class players will have "broken through" by 18. Is it the case that he's at a club with too much talent and will this hold him back?

I very much doubt it if we talk about midfielders. How many great midfielders were regular starters aged 18?

Xavi and Scholes didn't have a single appearance for Barca/United at Foden's age. Scholes was nearly 20 when he made his debut. Iniesta had just 6 apps when he was 18/19 y. o.

Frenkie De Jong had just 4 apps in Eredevisie with Ajax when he was 19.

In comparison, Foden has already had 20 apps for City. Once D. Silva leaves City, he will play many games if he's good enough. City cannot rely only on KDB and B. Silva.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

I wouldn't go as far as you, but I don't think he has the makings of a top player if i'm being perfectly honest. The fact Pep doesn't even trust him to start in any big games tells you alot IMO.

I wouldn't disagree with your first point, time will tell but to say Pep doesn't trust an 18 year old in big games is a bit off, how many managers at top clubs are trusting 18 year olds at the moment?

This is a tweet from late October which gives a hint of just how much effect players of his age have in top level European football in the modern day.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[LuisNaniencia]

I very much doubt it if we talk about midfielders. How many great midfielders were regular starters aged 18?

Xavi and Scholes didn't have a single appearance for Barca/United at Foden's age. Scholes was nearly 20 when he made his debut. Iniesta had just 6 apps when he was 18/19 y. o.

In comparison, Foden has already had 20 apps for City. Once D. Silva leaves City, he will play many games if he's good enough. City cannot rely only on KDB and B. Silva.

You have a point, maybe for midfielders it's a little different as they need to be more physically developed to play there?

I was thinking of players like Rooney, Martial, Rashford, Messi, Ronaldo, Dembele etc, all of whom had made impacts at a very young age.

 

[JPRouve]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

This is a tweet from late October which gives a hint of just how much effect players of his age have in top level European football in the modern day.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Pellegri is injured since September, Sylla has replaced him, he is born in Nov 25 1999, and has played 5 league games during that period of time.