Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola left speechless by 'special' starlet Phil Foden after dazzling display against United in Houston
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola insisted he could not find the words to describe Phil Foden after a dazzling performance against rivals United on Thursday.
The 17-year-old was unlucky to be on the losing side at the NRG Stadium as he outshone the established names of Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera in midfield.
Already one of the biggest hopes in the City academy, Foden further enhanced his reputation with a display well beyond his years, suggesting he could make a rare breakthrough into the senior squad and become the homegrown star the club crave.
Phil Foden put in a very impressive display for Manchester City against United on Thursday
Guardiola, who oversaw the rise of Lionel Messi at Barcelona, says it had been 'a long time' since he had seen something as special as Foden's debut and insisted fans were lucky to have witnessed it.
‘I don’t have words – I would like to have the right words to describe what I saw,’ said the City manager. 'You are the lucky guys who saw the first game, for the first team for Manchester City, of this guy.
‘It’s a long time since I saw something like this. His performance was another level. He’s 17-years-old, he’s a City player, he grew up in the academy, he loves the club, he’s a City fan and for us he’s a gift.
‘He will stay with us training with us in the pre-season and maybe he’ll stay with us in season because he’s special.’
The playmaker glides past Ander Herrera as he displays his fleet-footed style in Houston
Guardiola suggested the 17-year-old could remain with his senior squad if he further impresses
Foden originally joined Manchester City in the Under 9 squad and was one of the standout performers for the dominant Under 18s last season.
The diminutive playmaker scored 15 goals in 31 games at that level, catching Guardiola's attention and earning a call-up to a Champions League matchday squad as a 16-year-old.
His silky skills suggests a bright future for the England squad as well as he was one of the bright sparks in the triumphant Under-17 European Championship campaign, scoring twice en route to the final.
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