Phil Foden has enjoyed a quietly brilliant 2023/24 campaign at Manchester City so far this season.
The England international has not exactly been leading the way in terms of pure end product, with just two goals and four assists in 14 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Manchester City No.47 has certainly been doing his job on the creative front.
So, what has Phil Foden done that no other Premier League player has managed this season? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well – as shown by WhoScored – Foden has played the most successful through balls in the Premier League so far this season, with 80% of his efforts finding a teammate.
Rodri finds himself joint-second on the list alongside John McGinn and Bruno Guimaraes with a 60% success rate.
That is mightily impressive from Foden, although his return of just four assists proves he is being let down by his teammates and their poor finishing.
Manchester City have scored 19 goals in nine Premier League games so far this season, a tally bettered by Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Brighton.
The Citizens are usually out on their own at the front of these metrics, so Pep Guardiola’s side have definitely suffered from a decrease in efficiency up top.
Phil Foden can show his Manchester City teammates the way
Foden’s creativity so far this season is clearly going to waste a bit at the Etihad Stadium.
The 23-year-old himself is an excellent finisher, so if the chances he creates are going to be squandered, why not pull the trigger himself?
A return of two goals in 14 appearances is poor for a player of Foden’s quality, even if he is more of a creator in Guardiola’s side.
Of course, the Spaniard is also very strict about where he wants his players to be on the pitch, which might make the Stockport-born maestro feel like he cannot take things by the scruff of the neck sometimes.
However, if Foden – who has been accused of switching off at times – continues to see chances go to waste, he would have every right to step up and show his teammates how to finish.
