Phil Foden made his 50th appearance for Manchester City in Zagreb on Wednesday night and capped off his evening with a goal six minutes from time. The 19-year-old was handed a rare start by Pep Guardiola with City having already qualified as group winners regardless of the result.
The majority of the club’s supporters have been desperate to see more of Foden and have been calling for him to start in the Premier League. His impressive performance versus Dinamo has strengthened his case and in the aftermath, a flurry of praise has come his way.
Has Phil Foden earned himself a starting place versus Arsenal?
Yes
No
ABSOLUTE BALLER ?
— injury fc ?? (@mxncityszn) December 11, 2019
This guy knows what it means to be a blue?
— DanielWhite (@TheRealDanielW3) December 11, 2019
Motm. Another excellent performance – possibly your best one yet
— Kap (@kapilamin) December 11, 2019
Class. Should genuinely be starting. You’ll force it eventually!
— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) December 11, 2019
You were brilliant mate. ?
— Footballism (@Footballism16) December 11, 2019
quality tonight lad, start banging on pep’s door for more starts, we need your energy!
— oli (@olicoulson_) December 11, 2019
What do we think?
Gabriel Jesus aside, Phil Foden was the best player on the pitch. According to WhoScored.com, his performance rating was 9.5/10 second only to the Brazilian who scored a hat-trick and received a score of 9.6/10.
The young Englishman, who is valued at £27m by TransferMarkt.co.uk, was presented with an opportunity to impress his boss and he grabbed it with both hands. City ran out comfortable winners in the end despite having gone behind and with a trip to Arsenal coming up this Sunday, Foden has given Guardiola something to think about.