Super player
should move away from city
should move away from city
Phil Foden - What Is His Potential?
- Thread starter Davs
- Start date
I think he's excellent but interesting plenty think he's just an attacking midfield. I actually think he could develop into a good DLP which England really really really lack compared to most other major nations who actually reach finals and win stuff.
Not really part of England's DNA with the box to box and athleticism of the premier league. That needs to change if England are to even win anything.
Not really part of England's DNA with the box to box and athleticism of the premier league. That needs to change if England are to even win anything.
I don’t think City are at massive fault so far. I think he is slowly breaking into the team.
In saying that, next season, he should be asking questions if he isn’t starting more regularly. He has done enough in his cameos and one off starts to suggest he deserves more game time.
If it’s 1200 odd minutes next season filled out with games that don’t really matter, questions should be asked. He deserves to be playing regularly at this stage.
In saying that, next season, he should be asking questions if he isn’t starting more regularly. He has done enough in his cameos and one off starts to suggest he deserves more game time.
If it’s 1200 odd minutes next season filled out with games that don’t really matter, questions should be asked. He deserves to be playing regularly at this stage.
He was fantastic against Liverpool. He ran Robertson ragged.
I would say he's being perfectly coaced. Alot of posters here are disagreeing though, but he has taken steps and is ready now.
Pep was done excatly right in my opinon.
Pep was done excatly right in my opinon.
Since the league restarted he's got 4 goals in 3 games.
He's had an unbelievable goal involvement record since the start I think. For an attacking midfielder, he already has 14 goals scored in his limited playing time. That's around 2350 minutes in the last 2 seasons from a quick glance.
Looks very good if he gets the game time. Played very well tonight.
I think he was already close to this level but he got a frustratingly low amount of football.
Saying that though maybe he protected him from the pressure and now he can explode. Looks the nuts though doesn't he?
What a shame he ended up a blue.
Seems like Pep now sees him exclusively as a WF, be it on the right or the left wing...
For England's youth sides, he always played on the wing or sometimes in CM when Angel Gomes would be the #10. So he has a lot of experience playing in that kind of role.
He's a fantastic talent.
Kid can play! Hate to say it but he’s going to cause us a few problems over the next few years.
He has four goals and two assists since lockdown ended. I really hope he gets the opportunities he needs next season with David Silva leaving.
Looks a special talent.
If City actually give him a proper chance next season then I think he'll prove more than good enough.
England have some very exciting players coming through right now.
If City actually give him a proper chance next season then I think he'll prove more than good enough.
England have some very exciting players coming through right now.
I will wait till October before my little hope will be my big hope.
Where will he play for England and alongside whom is the question.
If he doesn't he should look to leave tbh
First time he actually impressed me. I've known he's a talent just never saw it. Did well today.
That's an understatement. Tell you what, England have some truly phenomenal talents coming through.
The biggest talents are Sancho, Greenwood, and Foden. The fourth option is a toss up. I would have put CHO along with them, but he had that achilles injury and hasn't been the same since then.
When they were at u17 level the biggest talents were
1. 2000 generation: Sancho, Foden, Gomes (after injury for the Euros and World Cup, fell off compared to his peers), Sessegnon, CHO, and McEachran (fell off since World Cup win).
Since then, Aarons, Skipp, and Gibbs White made good progress. Brewster made good progress during Gomes' absence and then had an injury, but seems to be doing well for Swansea right now.
This generation was seen by many scouts around the world as the best English generation since a decade ago. They were the clear cream of the crop of the world for that age group and marked for greatness since they were 14 year old talents.
2. 2001 generation: Initially I was most high on Greenwood and Curtis Jones. Greenwood became the clear standout and Jones fell back somewhat. I didn't rate this generation as nearly as high as the 2000 generation, but in the last 1.5 years they've impressed me.
Since then, Doyle, Garner, Laird, and Saka caught up to Jones and it seems like Saka is the clear #2 of that generation at least for now.
3. 2003 generation: Bellingham, Barry, Elliot, Musiala, and Dembele are the clear stand out talents.
Many youth watchers are regarding this generation as the closest to the 2000 generation, but not quite as great. Time will tell. This is why Barry was signed by Barca, Musiala was signed by Bayern, Dortmund/United went after Bellingham, and Liverpool acquired Elliot from Fulham.
@In Rainbows what's your personal view on the 2003 generation? Like you said, they're very highly regarded but I'm not sure what to make of them at the minute, I don't think they're as good as the 2000 generation but I do think the 2001 generation will rival them for talent in the next few seasons.
He looks promising. Do you remember all them years ago when the FA aimed to win the 2022 World cup? This could be the proper golden generation.
No one should doubt his talent. If he had been playing consistently these past couple of seasons, he'd already be one of our best and most important players for the national team.
Real shame. They have a potential gem there
I've been really impressed whenever they play other youth sides. For example, they smashed Brazil and I think they tied Argentina, but largely had possession. They seem like the clear standout national side for their age group along with France (tbf I'm a little less knowledgeable on France apart from Mejbri, Cherki, and Da Silva). I'm really impressed with England's top talents. However, I don't think it's quite as deep as the 2000 generation. For example, I didn't name Smith Rowe, and Ian Poveda who were bench players. At the time when I first heard of Gomes, and Foden, I thought Kirby was highly regarded, but he fell off compared to his peers. Similarly Oakley Booth fell off.
From what I can see, the 2003 generation has the top talents, but most likely doesn't have the same depth as 2000. And this was clearly evidenced by the fact that they won the World Cup while Gomes just recovered from injury, Sancho left midway through the tournament, and Sessegnon had already graduated his age group.
I was most impressed with Bellingham, Elliot, and Barry. Musiala is a nice player, but seemed like a typical #10 in terms of technique. So clearly talented, but not especially special when I compare him to Gomes and Foden at the same age.
Bellingham reminds me of Foden for the age group. Not that they're similar players playing similar roles. Just that they feel polished and tend to get things technically right whenever they try something. I felt that way about Greenwood too. Elliot feels like a less technically gifted Sancho of the group. Barry is a bit unique in that he has that Rooney & Suarez bulldog playstyle. However, I heard his time at Barca hasn't been stellar compared to say Musiala with Bayern.
The 2001 generation has impressed me in the last 1.5 years. From a midfield point of view Garner and Doyle seem a step above the 2000 generation's midfield which largely relied on McEachran (similar player to Gomes, but moved further back for Gomes and Foden), and Kirby became a sort of work horse type. Oliver Skipp progressed well compared to his standing at the time, but not sure I would classify him as big a talent as Garner and Doyle. Laird as a RB seems a step up from the 2000 generation's RB (other Sessegnon brother). Greenwood clearly is a big improvement on Brewster and Loader. He seems like the Sancho and Foden equivalent for his respective position. Finally, Curtis Jones plays the Pogba, Bellingham role (#8) albeit each with their own style. He seems really good, but until he gets a chance it's hard to separate him from Garner, Laird, and Doyle.
I don't really have a comment on the CBs like Guehi and Panzo. Personally I find it's a lot harder to evaluate them. That goes for all the generation's. I would have to watch them all the time like I did Axel.
Last edited:
It's a shame because this year would have been their first big tournament with the u17 Euros but it was cancelled so we'll never get to assess them as a group. I think they'll be broken up now as individuals progress. Bellingham won't play at the level again.
A couple to look out for that haven't been mentioned, both at City unfortunately: Cole Palmer, one of the best in the u18s this season and should get some minutes before the end of the season and Bynoe-Gittens, 15 year old left winger, very skillful player, should heasr more of him next season.
As for Foden, I think Mahrez's level is entirely possible, the question is if he can go further.
Looks class player with very good technical ability. More in the Iniesta mould not physically imposing though
Any chance you have changed your stance since March?
Always thought call for him to leave were bizarre. Clear Pep rates him.
He's looked class in the last few games. If he doesn't get his chance now, I'm not sure he ever will.
Anyone who has watched Foden play and thinks he is overrated is either a troll or knows nothing about football.Any chance you have changed your stance since March?
Strange to see a player so comfortable playing so many roles. At this point I'm not even sure who's a Bigger talent between him and Sancho.
The coaching of this lad reminds me how Fergie brought our class of 92 up. You just can't fault the way city have gone about things. I think him and Greenwood are two of the best young up and coming players in the Premier league.
On the way to world class
Foden has definitely stepped up after the suspension, and his performance has been a joy to watch. The question remains is whether he can utilize his skills and techniques when he plays without the supports and runs from Guardiola's system.
A very good post/summary. Quoted this part to say that if England can get 3/4/5 top talents from every age group, in a few years it will translate into massive depth for the senior side anyway.
I consider the 2003 group to be far ahead than the 2000 group.
I haven't watched a single Man City match since March. I gave the impression I had at the time, not sure why it bothered some.Any chance you have changed your stance since March?
Is it just me or does he seem to have been “breaking through” for years ?
Actually think he is similar in some ways to Greenwood. Fast feet, clinical, superb touch.
Actually think he is similar in some ways to Greenwood. Fast feet, clinical, superb touch.