Foden is best player in Premier League, says Guardiola
Phil Foden is the best player in the Premier League right now and will go down in history for Manchester City, according to manager Pep Guardiola, after his second-half double inspired a crucial 3-1 comeback victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
City were completely dominant, but they were still trailing to Marcus Rashford's spectacular eighth-minute piledriver when forward Foden took centre stage in the second half.
The 23-year-old local fired a sublime left-footed shot into the roof of the net in the 56th minute before beating Andre Onana with a precise finish after 80 minutes.
Erling Haaland's 18th league goal of the season, his sixth of the week, rounded out the scoring in stoppage time, but nothing could take the spotlight away from Foden, who now has 11 league goals this season, equaling his record.
"It is the amount of games he is playing. He was always a talented player but now he is more mature and understands more the game, especially defensively," Guardiola told the BBC.
"He can play middle, right, make moments and cut inside, play in the left, scoring from the left. What can I say? He is the best player in the Premier League right now for the amount of things he does. Unbelievable."
Foden's quality and consistency is making him undroppable, even in a squad stacked with world-class players. His current form makes it unthinkable that he will not be included in Gareth Southgate's England squad.
"We don't negotiate over that," Guardiola said when asked about Foden's defensive discipline. "The guy who doesn't do that doesn't stay in the team. He loves football, he lives for football. He is a joy and his work ethic is unbelievable."
Guardiola was no less effusive in his praise of Foden when speaking with Sky Sports.
"He will already be a legendary player because in a short age, the games played, the minutes, the goals scored, the titles won and he is from the home and that is why the connection with the fans is unbelievable," Guardiola said.
"He is the player of the season. No-one has been so decisive for us as him this season."
City are now unbeaten in 19 matches across all competitions and will travel to Anfield next weekend for a showdown with leaders Liverpool, who are one point ahead.
Arsenal can close the gap on Liverpool by two points if they win at bottom-place Sheffield United on Monday.
"Will we do it? I don't know," Guardiola said when asked whether his side will win a fourth consecutive league title.
"We have today more points at this stage than last season. The difference is Liverpool have I don't know how many more points than this stage last season. When the opponent is behaving like this, what can I say, congratulations so far."
"We will continue to try game by game."
SportsLigue