Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could have the chance to sign another version of Phil Foden during the next summer transfer window.
Last month, it was reported by Sport BILD (via TeamTalk), that Guardiola is determined to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz in 2024 – and is reportedly willing to meet the German club’s €100m (£87m) asking price.
If this proposed transfer move ends up becoming reality, we feel that the addition of Wirtz to City’s squad would not only strengthen their attacking power, but also give the Manchester club another version of one of their most influential players – Foden.
Wirtz could be Guardiola’s next Foden
This is shown by looking at the duo’s individual statistics from their respective current domestic campaigns.
For example, the midfielders have both scored one goal and delivered three assists for their sides.
To further highlight their attacking similarities, the pair have racked up the same rate of goals per shot (0.07) and an almost identical number of key passes (20 vs 21) and successful take-ons (15 vs 16).
Then in terms of their efforts out of possession, Foden and Wirtz have a similar total of recoveries made (27 vs 29) and the same percentage of aerial duels won (28.6%).
In addition to that, the duo are both listed as their club’s fifth-highest rated player for their league efforts this season, with Foden having an overall performance rating of 7.31/10 from WhoScored and Wirtz having a superior rating of 7.45/10.
Described as an “elite” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig on Twitter, Wirtz has certainly made it clear this season why he has Guardiola looking at him and wanting to sign him for City next summer.
Moving forward, if the Leverkusen star continues to shine throughout the rest of the season, we feel that City should do all they can to sign him once the next summer transfer window opens for business.
