Pep Guardiola hailed Phil Foden as “a master” who “can do everything” after his performance for Manchester City in their 2-1 Champions League win against Hoffenheim on Wednesday night.
The teenage midfielder, 18, was handed his first start of the campaign outside of the League Cup as City came from behind to triumph through a Leroy Sane double.
City ensured they finished top of their group as they qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League and the manager was gushing in his praise of Foden.
“He was incredible,” Guardiola told BT Sport immediately after Wednesday’s match. “We don’t have any doubts about his quality. He has to compete with David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin de Bruyne, but he can do everything.
“There is a mentality, he can score goals, he is a fighter, he is intelligent, has the body shape, his control, he is a master. He is only 18 years old. We didn’t have any doubts that he can play at the top level.”
Pep Guardiola lists all the attributes that make Phil Foden simply 'incredible' ? pic.twitter.com/XJuBO9du3M
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 12, 2018
OPINION
These are incredible words from Guardiola, who could not have been more complimentary of the wonderkid in the wake of his first start in either the Premier League or Champions League this season. City and England have a remarkable young player, and it must have been warming for Gareth Southgate to know he has so much young attacking talent coming through. On-loan Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson came off the bench at half-time for Hoffenheim and he is also bursting with potential. Foden will surely be joining another brilliant teenager reared at Man City, Jadon Sancho, in the full England squad soon. He is that good, and possible even the best of a new generation of outstanding English youngsters with the potential to be world beaters. You only have to watch Foden in action for a few minutes to see how good he is. The way he receives the ball, his touch, control. Everything on a football pitch looks so natural to him.