Pep Guardiola has coached a wide range of some of the best players football has seen over the past 25 years.
The best of which is arguably Lionel Messi, who scored 211 goals and delivered 94 assists in 214 appearances under the Manchester City boss when they were both at Barcelona.
Having now entered his ninth season in charge of the Blues, one significant figure in Guardiola’s ranks has recently found himself being mentioned in the same breath as Messi as a result of one particular aspect of his game.
Andy Townsend likens Phil Foden to Lionel Messi
Speaking on talkSPORT (21/8 9:11) after seeing Phil Foden be named the PFA Player of the Year, Andy Townsend had this to say about him and how he can be likened to Messi.
He said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player receive the ball so easily on the move like Phil Foden. The only one who is probably better than him is Messi.
“He does it so easily and comfortably, he does it with his head up. His first touch is usually absolutely spot-on. Takes a touch, it’s right in front of him, he’s ready to either knock it or get a shot away or whatever.
“He was absolutely outstanding.”
Foden’s technical ability is on another level
This isn’t the first time the 24-year-old’s ability on the ball has been praised as back in June, Kobbie Mainoo praised Foden’s technical ability and described his first touch as “crazy.”
In 271 senior appearances for City under Guardiola, the £225k-a-week midfielder has scored 87 goals and delivered 53 assists.
Last season saw the England international find the back of the net 27 times and supplied 12 assists in 53 games across all competitions.
Having deservedly been named the PFA Player of the Year, the fact that Townsend has now likened Foden’s ability on the ball to Messi’s shows just how impressive he is.
