Advertisement

Manchester City vs Hoffenheim: Pep Guardiola explains why 'incredible' Phil Foden is England's 'diamond'

Phil Foden twice went close to scoring his first Etihad goal: Getty
Phil Foden twice went close to scoring his first Etihad goal: Getty

Pep Guardiola has claimed that English football has “a diamond” in Phil Foden after the teenager impressed in Manchester City’s Champions League 2-1 win over Hoffenheim.

Foden made a quiet start at the Etihad as City went a goal behind in their final group stage game but the 18-year-old came on strong in the second half, almost scoring twice.

City ultimately secured top spot through two Leroy Sané strikes either side of half time, though Guardiola reserved special praise for Foden in his post-match press conference.

“In general, 90 minutes, Phil was incredible the way he played,” he said. “I’ve never had and I think I would never have doubts about the quality of that guy. He is able to play with us, it doesn’t matter where.

“It’s not just the quality he has with the ball. He looks skinny, does not look strong but he is really, really strong. He arrives at the byline, crosses and shoots.

“He’s an outstanding young player. He’s a huge talent. I think England has a diamond.”

Stockport-born Foden signed a new six-year contract with City earlier this week, despite receiving only a handful of opportunities to impress in Guardiola’s first team this season.

Wednesday night was only Foden’s fourth start of the campaign and only the third in this competition of his senior career.

“I know it’s not easy to play in the big clubs,” Guardiola said. “Few players at 18 years old can play regularly.

“They have to compete in a good way with David Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, with [Ilkay] Gundogan, with Bernardo [Silva].

“But he’s incredible in the training sessions, every day. He’s special. He has minutes and in the future he will have a lot.

“I like when you have no pressure. We were qualified, we want to finish first, against a German team it’s so demanding and he played like a man, a real man. He played so good.”