Pundit John Giles has said that he can’t believe Phil Foden hasn’t played more games for Manchester City.
After making a late but impactful cameo appearance in City’s recent 2-1 win over Sheffield United, the Englishman has now made 222 senior appearances for the Manchester club.
Despite that, one pundit has said that the 23-year-old hasn’t been as prominent in Pep Guardiola’s side as much as he believes he should have.
Pundit backs Foden for regular midfield role
Speaking on a recent episode of The Stand with Eamon Dunphy, Giles had this to say about Foden.
He said: “I think he has developed. I’m surprised, like yourself, that he hasn’t played as many games for City as I think he should be playing.
“I think he will come on now, there’s a few players gone, couple of players injured. I think he will come in. He’s at an age now where he’s mature enough to come in and dominate in the middle of the field. He hasn’t done that before, he’s played on the left-wing or the right-wing, up front, but I think he’s a definite midfield player that can control the game.
“He’s 23 now and I think he will be given that opportunity to do that. I think he will be a starter for Manchester City now in a very, very important position. They don’t have anybody really in the middle of the field, midfield generals as we used to call them, I think he’s capable of doing that now and I think we will see more of him.”
Last season saw the Englishman start 29 of the 48 games he played in across all competitions, predominantly featuring in wide roles.
Having scored 15 goals and delivered eight assists, this could be why Giles thinks Foden should have started more games than he did last term.
However, bearing in mind how the midfielder completed the full 90 minutes in City’s opening two league games of this campaign and was unable to be in the starting XI against the Blades due to having a stomach issue, it’s safe to say that the England international looks likely to be a consistent starter for the team.
Moving forward, Foden’s aim for the remainder of the season will presumably be to make sure he delivers in every game he plays in and give himself the best chance to be a regular starter throughout the entire campaign.
