Phil Foden says Manchester City have ‘one of the best young players’ he has EVER seen

Manchester City have “one of the best young players” Phil Foden has ever seen, according to the England international.

The Stockport-born attacking midfielder is enjoying another fruitful campaign under Pep Guardiola, operating in a number of role across a fluid forward line for Manchester City, and in midfield positions.

With Pep Guardiola opting to utilise players in various positions, amidst injury struggles during the opening months of the season, the likes of Rico Lewis have also seen improved game-time this campaign so far.

Starring in a 1-3 UEFA Champions League away victory against RB Leipzig earlier this month, Lewis caught the eyes of the world, but particularly his fellow Manchester City academy graduate Phil Foden.

The pair combined for City’s opening goal at the Red Bull Arena that night, with Rico Lewis driving forward from his midfield role, before pulling the ball back for Foden to strike home on the half-volley.

Speaking during a recent interview, Foden was full of praise for his Manchester City teammate, admitting that he is ‘one of the best young players’ he has ever seen, having played alongside the likes of Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, and Erling Haaland.

Foden told the media, “He’s one of the best young players I’ve seen. He seems to up our tempo when he’s dead sharp in the pockets and makes us play a bit quicker. He had a good game – two academy players linking for the goal is nice to see.

“Normally when you’re 18 you’re a bit shy in these big games. He’s the total opposite. He wants the ball, wants to impress. I like his determination. He’s going to be a quality player, he just needs the game time.”

While living the dream of playing for Manchester City himself, Phil Foden went on to admit that sharing a place in the first-team squad at the Etihad Stadium with a fellow academy graduate is also another dream come true.

Continuing on the subject of Rico Lewis, who recently signed a new long-term deal with the Premier League champions, Foden said, “He’s only 18 and has time. The performances he’s putting in at such a young age is great to see.

“He’s only going to get better with this coach, how he improves players. He just has to pay attention and want to get better. I don’t have to tell Rico that, he knows what he’s doing. Delighted to have an academy player playing in these big games, it’s a dream come true for me.”

With matches continuing to come thick and fast after the international break, Rico Lewis is only expected to take on more responsibility, and his start against Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend was evidence of his status within Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Despite the result, Lewis was a shining star in the Manchester City team at the Emirates Stadium, once again operating in a defensive midfield role alongside Mateo Kovacic, as opposed to Rodri – who will be back in contention for the club after the break.

City return with a home Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion, before a UEFA Champions League double header with BSC Young Boys is accompanied by a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.