In most instances, a majority of players at Manchester City’s disposal tend to be considered superior to their counterparts in the Premier League due to a number of reasons.
The primary reason is their sheer quality and consistent over several years.
But the fact that a whole host of City’s players manage to perform as consistently as they do to help their side win major trophies on such a frequent basis is justifiably lauded.
Considering Pep Guardiola’s side have the pressure to win trophies every season, for the players within his ranks to embrace such stakes and rise to the challenge has been incredible to witness.
Furthermore, several top players at other clubs lack the same number of medals in their respective trophy cabinets to justify being mentioned in the same breath as those at the Etihad Stadium.
Considering several players on City’s books are considered the benchmark in English football, it is natural that stalwarts from other teams are likened to them.
Steve Nicol shares who’s better: Phil Foden or Saka
Ultimately, other clubs have world-class players at their disposal as well, such as Arsenal, with Bukayo Saka.
The 22-year-old has proven season after season that he is one of Europe’s best forwards.
In the Gunners’ opening game of the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign against Wolves as well, the Englishman stepped up to the plate yet again — setting up Kai Havertz’s opener with a delightful cross before getting on the scoresheet with a wonderfully-struck goal to ensure his side win 2-0 on Saturday.
On ESPN FC, the punditry panel were asked where they would place Saka, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in a game of start, sub and sell.
Journalist Julien Laurens claimed that he would start the Arsenal winger, bench Foden and sell Palmer — claiming that the Chelsea attacker only had one elite season under his belt in comparison to his countrymen — who have been consistently brilliant for years now.
Steve Nicol agreed with Laurens in starting Saka over the £225,000-a-week man, while revealing that he would sell the former City winger.
“I was going to start with Palmer to be honest. But actually, Jules [Julien Laurens] might have changed my mind.”
“He’s not going to be a one-season wonder. But I think I’ve got to go with the argument that Jules has just put up, I’m going to change my answer: Saka, Foden and then Palmer.”
Foden should have the upper hand over Saka based on last season
It is surprising to discover that Steve Nicol feels Saka is a superior player to the 24-year-old.
Rio Ferdinand described Foden as “unreal” as he had the season of his life.
Based on the previous campaign, the Manchester City midfielder should have the edge over the Ealing-born forward — as he lead his boyhood club to the Premier League title over Arsenal — despite Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland missing significant chunks of the campaign through injury.
At Euro 2024, Saka was undeniably in better touch than Foden.
As a result, it seems like the former’s recent heroics at the tournament seem to be at the forefront of Nicol’s mind instead of a full season of club football where the Stockport-born technician was arguably the best player in England.
Both Foden and Saka are outstanding players and it will be interesting to see which player has the superior campaign for their clubs now.
