Pep Guardiola has backed Phil Foden to be a Manchester City star for the next decade after he impressed in the 2-0 win over Cardiff. Though Foden, who was making his first Premier League start, could not join Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane on the score-sheet, he forced a couple of saves out of Neil Etheridge in the second half and saw one close-range shot strike the post.
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Guardiola has seemed reluctant to lean on the 18-year-old too much in City’s pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple, but the night’s showing suggested he is ready to feature more. “Phil, we know it, he’s young but he can do everything,” Guardiola said.
“He can create chances, he’s incredible with his vision. We can count on them and that’s good. “Every day he is in the locker room, he is part of the group and we trust him. I’m happy with the way he plays. He’s at a good level. He could have scored two goals, he’s exceptional.”
While other highly-rated teenagers have looked abroad for first-team opportunities, Foden signed a new City deal until 2024 in December and Guardiola said he would get his rewards in the long run.
“It’s not easy for him with (David) Silva, Bernardo (Silva), (Ilkay) Gundogan, De Bruyne, but he wants to be here, he’s delighted to be here,” he said. “I assure you next year he will play more minutes. That’s the process. He’s 18 or 19. For the next decade he will be important.”
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