Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has ensured Phil Foden will have plenty of chances this season following Gareth Southgates’s concern regarding his playing time.
The 18 year old is one of the finest attacking midfielders to have emerged from the Manchester City academy but he is yet to get his chances in the top flight.
The England U17 international was tipped to be a part of the UEFA Nations League squad but Southgate made it clear the youngster needed to have more game time to have a shot at the senior team.
The City academy product ran the show in the U17 World Cup held in India last year and single handedly guided the Three Lions to the crown. Despite being given just eight minutes in the ongoing season Guardiola has promised the player will be seen more on the pitch as the season goes forward.
“We do our best, I do my best.
“I think Phil is ready for England. He’s ready for City because he’s here. If he wasn’t ready, he wouldn’t be here. Phil’s special, his work ethic is excellent and he will have a lot of minutes this season. After that Gareth has his own decision.
“I don’t feel the pressure (developing Foden). I feel the pressure to win the games.
“He can compete with David Silva, with Gundogan, with Kevin De Bruyne when he’s fit, with Fernandinho, with the top players.
“If you see the big 10-20 clubs in Europe in all the competitions, you don’t see many people playing who are 18-19 years old. Maybe one, two, three, but not too many.”
