Former Manchester City midfielder Michael Brown believes Phil Foden has gotten much better in his decision-making in recent times.
The 23-year-old was the star of the show yesterday in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United, making assists for both goals, with Rodri describing him as a ‘game-changer’.
Foden was good in the first-half, and then really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the second. He finished the contest having made six key passes, indicating how influential he was.
Foden was once again operating as a central attacking midfielder, with Julian Alvarez leading the line.
He’s had a few games in that role now and fans are really liking what they are seeing.
Foden seems to be having an impact every time he steps out onto the field – and Brown believes that that is in part down to him making better decisions…
Michael Brown says Phil Foden has improved his decision-making for Manchester City
Following his contributions against Sheffield United, Foden has now made eight assists this season across all competitions, and has also scored nine goals.
These are pretty impressive numbers halfway through a season, and it’s difficult to see him slowing down any time soon given how confident he looks.
Foden has always had a lot of talent, but Brown reckons we are now seeing a player who is thinking much more about his final ball.
He said (via mancity.com): “He makes better decisions now. You love all the flair and the tricks but there were times when he might not have gone into a position to press and left that hole or he might have given it away in a tight situation.
“He just gets it now. He’s always had the talent, no one’s ever been more talented than Phil Foden, from the second we saw him in a blue shirt.”
Foden maturing in a City shirt
Brown makes an interesting point about Foden here, and it’s hard to argue against it.
Foden definitely looks a lot more mature these days and this is also evident in the way he acts on the pitch now. If you watch him closely, he is starting to get a lot more involved with his teammates and shows leadership by getting them up for it.
In his first few years as a City first-teamer, Foden was rather raw and excitable but we are definitely now seeing him develop into a player who is more measured and making better decisions.
It’s scary to think what kind of level he could reach when he actually hits his peak in about five years’ time.
