Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, believes Phil Foden is the best player in the Premier League due to his current level and is set to become a Manchester City legend after his brace in the second half led his team to a substantial 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday. City dominated the match but found themselves trailing after a stunning goal from Marcus Rashford in the eighth minute; however, Foden stole the spotlight in the second half.
The 23-year-old unleashed a tremendous left-footed shot into the roof of the net in the 56th minute and then overcame Andre Onana with a precise shot after the 80-minute mark. Erling Haaland scored his 18th goal of the season in stoppage time, securing the result for City, marking his sixth goal in just days. Nevertheless, nothing could overshadow Foden’s performance, as he now has 11 goals in the league this season, matching his record for a single season.
Guardiola told BBC, "It’s about the number of matches he has played. He has always been a talented player, but now he is more mature and understands the game more, especially defensively. He can play in the middle and on the right, create key moments and breakthroughs, play on the left, and score with his left foot. What can I say? He’s the best player in the Premier League right now because of the number of things he does. It’s incredible."
Foden’s quality and level of consistency make him an indispensable player even in a squad full of world-class talent. His current form makes it unimaginable for him to be absent from the England national team under Gareth Southgate. In response to a question about Foden's defensive discipline, Guardiola said, "We do not negotiate on that. The man who does not do it does not stay in the team. He loves football and lives for it. He is enjoyable and has incredible work ethics."
