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Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, has expressed high admiration for Phil Foden’s exceptional performance and described him as a “top-class” player. However, he also stated that there is room for improvement for the attacker.
Foden scored the lone goal in Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Bournemouth, bringing the Premier League champions within one point of leaders Liverpool after 26 games.
Foden’s total of 16 attempts in all competitions this season matches his highest from last season. He has now been involved in six goals during the month of February, including a hat-trick against Brentford.
“Let’s not focus solely on the goals. While they are important, have you considered his playing style? His ability to control and accelerate. He has already established himself as a top-tier football player,” Guardiola elaborated.
“He was once a young boy known for his good deeds. Now, he has risen to become a top player on the world stage. His skills are truly exceptional and he is able to excel in various positions, particularly in the central areas.”
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“In the midst of the (Club) World Cup in Saudi Arabia, I believe he performed exceptionally well, showing a deeper understanding of the game. His strong work ethic and physical prowess have elevated him to a top-tier level of play.”
“He is youthful and has potential for growth. I have always sensed that Phil possesses a strong sense of purpose.”
“I have always sensed that he has the ability to score. I first met him when he was 16 years old and he trained with us. Similar to Cole Palmer, he arrived and I always had the feeling that he could score.”
“Phil possesses an extraordinary talent for achieving it.”
I am uncertain about my players’ reactions after winning everything. How will they respond? Oh my goodness. It could be even better than expected. Unthinkable, unthinkable.
City’s most recent crucial performance resulted in their 15th victory out of 17 matches. They are still pursuing another treble, following their success last season in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Guardiola’s team will be facing Luton in the FA Cup fifth-round on Tuesday, marking the end of a hectic February where they have managed to balance three different competitions.
The city’s upcoming schedule remains busy, with matches against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal in March.
Guardiola stated, “We may be fatigued, but we will recuperate. We will rest well, eat well, and be prepared for Luton. Our goal is to advance. I understand it will be challenging, but that is the reality.”
“We recently competed in the Champions League, which involves a demanding schedule for all teams. After that, we faced off against Brentford, who proved to be a tough opponent like going to the dentist without any numbing agent.”
“Do you happen to know the reason for our match against Brentford last week? We participated in the World Cup in Saudi Arabia, playing two games.”
“I have reviewed the schedule and noticed that we have matches every three days, starting from Tuesday and ending on Sunday. We will have the Champions League match followed by another one. Next up is United, and then possibly the FA Cup or Brighton, followed by matches against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa. So, we are still in the thick of it.”
After winning all championships, being only one point behind is a positive outcome. I am uncertain about how my players will respond to this achievement. It seems almost impossible to do any better.
“It’s always a difficult task each year, but I embrace the challenge. We wholeheartedly accept it and are ready to take it on.”
“We are ready to embrace the challenge of being good. I am familiar with both Arsenal and Liverpool, and they are both exceptional teams.”
“As we continue to progress, we can reach the final games and anything is possible.”
These players have a unique genetic personality and mentality that allows them to consistently give their best performance in any competition they participate in.
Source: independent.co.uk
