Anton Ferdinand has claimed that Manchester City have had a player who has outperformed Martin Odegaard this season.
The Arsenal maestro has had yet another brilliant season, pulling the strings for his side, who currently sit atop of the Premier League table.
Apart from Kevin De Bruyne, the Norwegian skipper has been considered the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League since the 2022/2023 campaign.
Anton Ferdinand says Phil Foden has been better than Martin Odegaard this season
However, when making a Manchester City-Arsenal combined XI, Anton Ferdinand opted for Phil Foden over Martin Odegaard as the team’s number 10.
“Hold on a minute, [Phil] Foden!”, he said on FIVE’s official YouTube channel.
“He’s been the best in the [number] 10.”
“I’m going Foden over [Martin] Odegaard.”
“I am. I’m going, Foden.”
“Foden has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and won them on his own.”
Anton Ferdinand was asked whether he would consider putting Phil Foden on the right wing to ensure Martin Odegaard can also get in the team.
“No! In the 10”, he swiftly replied.
Ferdinand continued, “Listen, [Kevin] De Bruyne ain’t played, he’s been injured. That’s why he’s been in there.”
“Odegaard or Foden, I’m going Foden because Foden’s grabbed more games by the scruff of the neck.”
“On a serious note, I’m looking at this year. I think Odegaard’s been fantastic but the team’s won games. Foden has won games on his jacks. Foden’s won games on his own.”
“By the way, the main man’s been out and you’ve got to take his position. That’s why I’m going Foden.”
Both midfielders are set to face each other in the much-awaited affair between City and Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Phil Foden has outperformed the Arsenal captain this season
Based on this season, in our view, it is hard to disagree with Anton Ferdinand by claiming that Phil Foden has performed at a higher level than Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard has played in a much more withdrawn role, as he has been tasked to help more in build-up while Foden has often played as a traditional number 10.
Until the Real Madrid technician’s position was changed from his usual advanced role to being pushed deeper, he was far from his brilliant best as well.
Phil Foden, on the other hand, has been sublime since the outset of the ongoing campaign and unlike Martin Odegaard, he has also been an output machine for his side.
The numbers do not lie, as Foden has 18 goals and 10 assists in all competitions while Odegaard has nine goals and seven assists.
Essentially, both players have operated in different roles but even so, the Englishman has taken games by the scruff of the neck, as Ferdinand stated far more than the Gunners captain, while perhaps being the outstanding attacking player in the Premier League.
