Micah Richards has admitted that he was left surprised by what Phil Foden said after Manchester City recorded a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
The 35-year-old made the comments alongside Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast.
So, what did Micah Richards say about Phil Foden? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Well, the man who made 246 appearances for Manchester City was surprised to hear the England international say that he enjoys playing on the right flank, having previously been told by the 23-year-old himself that he prefers to operate centrally.
Richards said: “In the interview afterwards (after the win over Nottingham Forest) Foden actually said he likes playing off the right! That’s what I thought (in response to Gary Lineker claiming Foden said he prefers to play centrally). I thought I was going crazy!
“Every time I’ve spoken to him, he said he loves playing down the middle.”
Lineker jokingly quipped that Foden is simply saying he likes to play anywhere Pep Guardiola uses him, just so he stays in the starting XI.
There was a recent discussion about whether the Manchester City No.47 could play centrally for England, with Gareth Southgate suggesting that the £225,000-a-week star cannot be used in the middle for big games, as detailed by the Telegraph.
Phil Foden can play anywhere for Manchester City and England
In our view, that is nonsense from Southgate.
Foden is one of the most naturally gifted players England have ever produced, and his talent enables him to make an impact wherever he plays.
Even out on the left – an area which prevents Foden from cutting inside on his stronger left foot – the Manchester City academy graduate has made an impact.
Some may recall his fantastic goal against Brighton back in May 2021, where he ran down the left flank, bypassing a number of defenders in the process, before smashing an effort into the bottom right corner.
Wherever Guardiola or Southgate choose to play Foden, he must be in the starting XI – at the very least.
