Micah Richards has singled Phil Foden out for playing at a level he has rarely operated at before in his career so far.
After Foden’s majestic showing in Manchester City’s 2-0 victory against Sheffield United, he was rightly praised by Richards on The Rest Is Football podcast.
It was also discussed whether Kevin De Bruyne’s return to the XI could mean the 23-year-old is forced to vacate the No.10 position, where he has thrived in recent outings.
Micah Richards says Phil Foden is playing “some of the best football of his career”
The £225,000-a-week (Sport Rac) man showcased his class in an attacking midfield role once again in City’s latest triumph, assisting both Rodri and Julian Alvarez’s goals.
Foden seems to have become the talk of the town, seemingly ever since his masterful display for Guardiola’s side during their crucial 3-1 win against Everton.
Micah Richards lauded Phil Foden, saying, “[Phil] Foden right now is playing some of the best football of his career. He really is.”
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards also explained how De Bruyne’s return may not affect the Englishman’s role in the side, saying, “But I would love to see Phil Foden stay in that No.10 role. The good thing about Kevin De Bruyne, a lot of his good play does come from the right-hand side.”
“So, we’ve talked so much about when [David] Beckham used to put those balls in and hard and low, and fast and curl and driven, whatever it may be. And a lot of his play, Kevin De Bruyne comes from that side, so they can all fit in there.”
Phil Foden should be allowed to drift into central areas when Kevin De Bruyne returns
Several Manchester City supporters would perhaps agree with Micah Richards when it comes to playing Phil Foden as a No.10 for the foreseeable future.
But that is easier said than done, considering that even an attacking midfield duo of the Stockport-born technician and Kevin De Bruyne perhaps only work in theory. In practice, neither of the pair is capable of defending as part of a double pivot out of possession.
As a result, Pep Guardiola would have no choice but to play Phil Foden as a winger, with Kevin De Bruyne as his side’s primary attacking midfielder and any one of Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic or Matheus Nunes as his partner in the middle of the park.
However, in such an instance, Foden should be given the license to roam into central areas instead of being parked out on the wing.
If so, be it on either flank, the five-time Premier League winner’s impact will remain sky-high.
But if Phil Foden is simply used as a touchline winger, it would not be a surprise to his form undergo a steep decline.
