Phil Foden is the talk of the town once again, after he scored a brilliant hat-trick for Manchester City against Aston Villa – and the star shared the conversation he had with Julian Alvarez just before scoring his first goal.
City returned to winning ways at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. It was important to do so, with Arsenal beating Luton Town.
Foden was the star of the show, scoring three goals including a sublime third that was reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s famous goal against Newcastle United, where he complained to the referee before scoring in the top corner.
The England star was breathtakingly good in a central role, which he was able to play with Kevin De Bruyne rested.
As as result of Foden’s amazing display, there are, once again, calls for him to play in the number 10 role for England.
Foden’s opening goal last night was a free-kick – and the ace shared the chat he had with Julian Alvarez that led to him taking it…
Phil Foden shares chat with Julian Alvarez moments before scoring free-kick for Manchester City against Aston Villa – and admits he never practises them
Foden was simply amazing last night for City against Villa, and more than made up for his quiet display against Arsenal on Sunday.
He was just at the heart of everything in that central role, and his prospects of winning PFA Player of the Season are certainly looking good at this point.
There was a first for Foden in last night’s game in that, he scored a direct free-kick.
There was an element of fortune about it, because he found a gap in a very poor Aston Villa wall. But they all count, and after the game, Foden explained why he took it.
He said on TNT Sports: “I don’t actually practise them! I don’t even know why I took that one. Julian was on them, but I just felt confident at the time. I said ‘Julian do you mind me having this one?’ To be fair to him he gave it (to) me and it paid off in the end.”
Alvarez did take one free-kick in the game from a similar position prior to Foden scoring, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Fair play to Foden
It is really interesting to hear Foden admit that he actually never practices free-kicks, considering how obsessed he is with football and how he often stays after training to work on extra things.
Given De Bruyne and Alvarez are the main takers, it is perhaps not something that’s too high on his agenda.
Him stepping up to take one just shows his confidence right now, and also his character and stature.
He watched Alvarez send one over the bar previously, and was adamant he wanted to try his luck.
Granted, it wasn’t a particularly good free-kick and more a mistake on Aston Villa’s part in the end, but he deserves credit nonetheless.
