Jermaine Pennant has become the latest to weigh in on the ‘world-class’ debate surrounding a Manchester City player.
Manchester City are enjoying another fine season and could still win an unprecedented back-to-back treble.
The Blues will look to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, are already in the final eight of the FA Cup and are just one point off the top of the Premier League.
City take on league leaders Liverpool in a monumental encounter on Sunday and ensured they remained in touching distance of Jurgen Klopp’s side by defeating Manchester United at the weekend.
Marcus Rashford gave the visitors a shock early lead but Phil Foden inspired a comeback with a stunning brace.
Erling Haaland added a late third but Foden earned all the plaudits after the game once again.
The 23-year-old is enjoying an incredible season and a debate has raged in the media over whether he is world-class or not.
Now, Jermaine Pennant has had his say.
Jermaine Pennant on Phil Foden
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Pennant said when asked if Foden is world-class: “Not now.
“He’s the same kind of situation with Saka. Is he world-class? He’s doing all the same stats he’s just playing as well as Foden.
“But if it continues on this trajectory then yes, he’s going to be a world-class player. But we need to see it on the big occasions.
“The Euros and World Cups playing for England, if he can put in these performances like he’s doing for City, then 100% within next season, a couple of seasons, he will be a world-class player.”
Is Phil Foden world-class?
How much bigger of an occasion does Foden have to perform in?
The ‘Stockport Iniesta’ was one of just two players, alongside John Stones, who still played their best in the Champions League final and ensured City finally won the trophy.
Even including international football, you can’t get much bigger than that. Especially when club football is now the highest quality of the game.
Foden has also just bagged a match-winning brace in the Manchester derby as well as a hat trick against them last season.
He has also scored against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund and for England in the World Cup.
What more does he need to do?
