Phil Foden can fill the Kevin de Bruyne-shaped hole in Manchester City’s team over the next few months.
That’s according to pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who believes Foden has the ability to replace the Belgian superstar.
City’s treble defence suffered an early blow on the first day of the new Premier League season when De Bruyne limped off with a hamstring injury.
It was the second time in three months that he’d suffered that particular injury, and he’ll now be out of action for at least four months after undergoing surgery.
City are looking to bolster their midfield options by pursuing Wolves star Matheus Nunes, but Foden has shown he can fill De Bruyne’s boots in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Murphy thinks City already have KDB replacement
Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, Anton Ferdinand and Murphy discussed how Foden can be City’s main creator.
“The continuous opportunities that he [Erling Haaland] has, it’s no wonder he’s scoring 50 goals a season. There’s no De Bruyne, Phil Foden has gone in there – he’s openly said that’s where he wants to play. He’s a joke,” Ferdinand said.
“Could he fill the boots [of De Bruyne in that central attacking role], someone asked me, and I was like: Yeah he can,” Murphy added.
“He can make chances [but] De Bruyne is different to him. I’m not comparing their playing styles. But in terms of creativity, he [Foden] sees passes, he keeps getting in the holes. And now they’ve signed this Belgian kid Doku!”
MCN view: Foden’s future is in the middle
Foden showed exactly why he should be given the keys to City’s attack during the 1-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday.
The 23-year-old academy graduate put in a superb performance, creating seven chances from an attacking midfield position.
Foden found space in the pockets time and time again and provided the assist for Julian Alvarez’s winning goal.
Murphy is right: Foden is the answer.
