For several years, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka have been pitted against each other due to being two of England’s brightest emerging talents in recent years.
Last season, Foden had the upper hand on Saka, having led Manchester City to the Premier League title over Arsenal.
The Stockport-born midfielder won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award after what was a truly coming-of-age season from him.
However, this campaign, Saka has been in brilliant form, registering five goals and 10 assists so far.
Tony Cascarino criticised Foden, describing him as “unrecognisable” this season from his exploits during the previous campaign.
The Manchester City attacker’s form has nosedived so far this season, providing just one assist and no goals in six league starts in what has been a campaign riddled by injuries and illness.
However, there is still plenty of time left in the ongoing season for Foden to return to his majestic best.
Rio Ferdinand says Bukayo Saka is better than Phil Foden now
In April, Jeremie Frimpong claimed Foden is superior to Saka, having had a better season.
Rio Ferdinand stated Foden is better than Saka as well.
However, Ferdinand has now changed his mind, claiming that Saka, alongside Cole Palmer can be considered better players than Foden due to being in superior form.
The pundit said on Rio Ferdinand: Presents: “If we’re talking form, [Phil] Foden’s at the bottom because form this season but his last year is Premier League Player of the Year, just remember that. But in terms of form, he’s bottom, he’s third.”
“[Bukayo] Saka’s never been a player that I’ve gone, dead, rubbish, not good enough. I just said at that time, he was below Foden. If you look at it now, he’s above Foden now because of the form and then where he is.”
Even Michael Brown insisted Foden has the edge on Saka, as he led Manchester City to the league title in a season where both Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland suffered major injuries.
However, based on both players’ form, one can imagine that the general consensus is the Arsenal poster-boy is currently the better footballer.
Foden admitted being ‘burnt out’ after last season
In October, Foden admitted to being burn out after a taxing last season where Manchester City won the title on the final day of the campaign while being a starter for England at Euro 2024.
The Englishman said via ESPN: “Last year, there were so many games.”
“I put everything I could into it. I came back a little bit fatigued, which is normal. Rodri came back like that as well, a few players.”
“Foden continued: “It’s normal how many games we play, you have to burn out at some point. I’m making steps in the right direction and trying to get back to my best.”
“I had a bit of fatigue coming back from last year, a bit of illness.”
“A few niggles as well. A few things added together. But if you speak to any player they’ve all been through it, the ups and downs of football. It was just a bump in the road if you like, I’m delighted I’m back and enjoying my football.”
Pep Guardiola’s update about Foden was that after suffering bronchitis now, he was not ready to return for Manchester City’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, having been ruled out against Nottingham Forest as well.
The six-time Premier League winner has had a frustrating season.
But once Foden is fit and on the pitch once again, he will be fired up to prove his detractors wrong.
