phil foden

[Nigels Tackle]

before any cunts (mainly big blue) jump on me here* for asking some simple questions, i want to make it clear that I don't think he's shit. he's a very neat and tidy player but i haven't seen anything in all the minutes that he's played that's made me think 'wow, we have a once in a generation talent on our hands'. what are your thoughts? have you seen something that i have missed? like i said, he's very neat and tidy and you can see that he's been well coached but, from what i have seen so far, he lacks that x-factor that the hype surrounding him warrants...


*football forums would be shit if we all agreed on everything....

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I expected more from him last night if I'm honest but what impresses me about him is how he seamlessly slots into the side, most kids that come in look like kids trying to hard to make an impression, I don't get that feeling with Foden, he just takes it in his stride.

[mr_nool]

before any cunts (mainly big blue) jump on me here* for asking some simple questions, i want to make it clear that I don't think he's shit. he's a very neat and tidy player but i haven't seen anything in all the minutes that he's played that's made me think 'wow, we have a once in a generation talent on our hands'. what are your thoughts? have you seen something that i have missed? like i said, he's very neat and tidy and you can see that he's been well coached but, from what i have seen so far, he lacks that x-factor that the hype surrounding him warrants...


*football forums would be shit if we all agreed on everything....

He's so young, the jury is obviously still out. He could just as easily become a League One player, the new Scott Barkley or the new David Silva - or anything in between. I like his maturity and vision when he plays in the middle (he was better last night after Kevin went off and he took his spot) and he's certainly technically gifted.But he's still got a very long road ahead of him.

[PeterParker]

It all comes down to mentality and what he wants.
He is already at a super high level and it is set for life. In England you can't go to a better club at the moment. The problem is he can't develope that much when he plays 20 minutes from time to time.

There are two things that need to be done with him: a) gave him more game time, means playing Mahrez less b) loan him to a Premier League team and insert a playing clause.

[Outcast]

before any cunts (mainly big blue) jump on me here* for asking some simple questions, i want to make it clear that I don't think he's shit. he's a very neat and tidy player but i haven't seen anything in all the minutes that he's played that's made me think 'wow, we have a once in a generation talent on our hands'. what are your thoughts? have you seen something that i have missed? like i said, he's very neat and tidy and you can see that he's been well coached but, from what i have seen so far, he lacks that x-factor that the hype surrounding him warrants...


*football forums would be shit if we all agreed on everything....

Can't expect much of him at this stage, he's only 18. Wait until he's 20 then analyse he's progression.

[john@staustell]

I would not even draw last nights game/conditions into this discussion.

[BlueinBosnia]

He has never looked like the weakest link in one of the best teams in the world, in my opinion.

The idea of a loan is a tricky one - should he spend a year away getting game time, but miss out on one of the best coaching setups around, or stay with the squad learning and improving, and slowly building up his appearances? For me, it's the latter.

Incidentally, who was the last youngster to be loaned out by us and subsequently make a first team start for us upon their return? Was it Boyata, or have I missed someone?

[carl_feedthegoat]

As someone said above , its fuckign hard to make a huge impression when you only get a few minutes here and there - during those minutes you can ill afford to fuck up, by showcasing your talents, as you will be slaughtered , so he ends up playing the intelligent ball every time - give him plenty of game time and he will be able to express himself a lot more than he has done lately - there is far more talent in his game than someone like Mahrez , for example.

High profile players always try to showcase their talents during games and always fuck up some of their attempts but they are lucky enough to have enough game time to get it right and fans soon forget ''that one moment of shitness''.


He should never be loaned out.

[iwasthere2012]

I'd agree with both above, Carl & BiB.
I wouldn't loan him, I'd gradually introduce him to more game time in the league.
He has never looked out of place and he has never looked like a weak link in our system/style of play.
The thing that has always impressed me even from the underage teams, is that he has a mature head on his shoulders for his age.
He plays our game naturally and doesn't seem to have the need to do something special to show off his skills.
He is technically very good and well balanced. He will receive the ball on either foot turning away from his marker to protect the ball.

I also agree with John, insofar as not taking a lot out of last night. The conditions dictated a lot and they were all taking extra touches and holding onto the ball too much which was leading them into trouble. He was not on his own there and was no more culpable than KDB.

Regarding a once in a lifetime talent. Does he have to be? Who said he is?
He's certainly already proved he is worth his squad place and that's probably the only one out of the golden age U16's from a couple of years ago.
Actually, I think Muric is worth his squad place as well.

This is where we save money for the likes of replacing Fern and other Class A grade players. We should be able to produce players like Foden that are more than capable to hold their own in our team and save the money for essentials.

[Hazy2]

I think the question raised by NT is valid. This Kid Garcia, looks like a Rolls Royce to me you see that in a flash. Foden is a talent no doubt but needing games and getting them at City is not going to be easy for any MF player let alone a Kid.

[sheblue]

Pep has a lot of belief in him so that's good enough for now.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Pep has a lot of belief in him so that's good enough for now.

PeP should accommodate him into the team more than that cunt Mahrez, but it wont happen - he spunked stupid money on him so he will always make room for him in the team over Foden.

[bigblue]

I think the question raised by NT is valid. This Kid Garcia, looks like a Rolls Royce to me you see that in a flash. Foden is a talent no doubt but needing games and getting them at City is not going to be easy for any MF player let alone a Kid.

I agree that Garcia looks like a he's going to be a great player. But this forum has the tendency to hype up any kid who's made 1-2 appearances, than write them off when they don't progress to be a star after 10 or so games. Always looking for that next shiny object with the patience of a squirrel.

Foden was named the player of the tournament at the u-17 world cup, scoring 2 goals in the final. From what I've seen, he's seamlessly filled into the 1st team in what's probably the most challenging and competitive position at City, attacking midfield. His touch in close spaces is spectacular and his linkup play with teammates is years ahead of almost any other 18 year old I've seen. Once he fills out a bit and gets a little bit more muscle on him, he'll be a whole different player.

He's learning from Pep, Dinho, Kev, Silva x2, and many others on a daily basis; which should give him everything he needs to continue progressing. Knowing what positions to take in what situations, when to lay if off, when to dribble, when to switch the field, etc. Keep in mind that his progression will happen over a few seasons, not a few games. Just be patient.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I'm struggling to see the link between Mahrez getting playing time and Foden not.

Disclaimer: this is not a defence of Mahrez.

[budfox]

Well when me and the Mrs were in Wetherspoons the other day we compiled a list of 12 people to repopulate the Earth and Foden was on it. So were Holly Willoughby and the Girl from Countdown so if the big one drops, Phil's going to have some fun outside of football.

[Sideshow Bob]

But this forum has the tendency to hype up any kid who's made 1-2 appearances

thats true. im still pining for omar abdulrahman.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I think the question raised by NT is valid. This Kid Garcia, looks like a Rolls Royce to me you see that in a flash. Foden is a talent no doubt but needing games and getting them at City is not going to be easy for any MF player let alone a Kid.

Garcia is a quality prospect but as yet that's all he is and he no more ready to be a regular first teamer than Phil is.

Last night I thought he looked very good but the previous game I saw him he was woeful. Poor decision making , gave a first minute penalty away , poor passing , travelled with the ball but lost it leaving the defence totally exposed. And he showed he lacks pace.

He needs time , and gradual exposure to real men's football while he develops further both in experience and phsically.

[nottsblue]

Valid question posed by NT.

The answer lies in time.

The lad is 18. How many of the great players didn’t make their mark until they reached 20 or older? He is still growing in all likelihood and until he reaches his adult body mass he won’t know his strength or his stamina levels and what he can and can’t do physically.
Yes he hasn’t made us go wow yet. Never expected him to in all honesty. As NT said he does things in a tidy fashion, keeps possession, lays the ball off well and doesn’t look out of place. But in his short time on the field he’s managed three goals and made a good few chances for team mates. In short he doesn’t look out of place and looks like he belongs which for a lad of his age in the team we have in no mean feat.

I wonder if NT has seen the impact Sancho has had this season at Dortmund and thought maybe we could/should see something similar from Foden? Let’s not forget Sancho is a year older and has had that extra experience. Also, the comparisons with Mahrez are false. They occupy different positions. Foden is not a winger. If Mahrez gets game time it’s at the expense of either Sterling or Sane. Fodens rivals if you can call it that are the Silvas, KDB and to a certain extent in some games, Gundogan. All quality players who are playing well. He almost has to hope for an injury to one of these guys to get ahead of them.

The idea he should go on loan for me is a complete non starter for a variety of reasons. He will learn more from our guys and how we play doing what he is doing. Another PL club has the same issues with regular game time as us and the championship I believe is a level beneath where he’s at at the moment.

He doesn’t need to be a star. He just needs to be good enough to hold down a place in our side. He’s not quite there yet but he will be in a year or two and then, who knows. He may well develop into a star in due course. He is being handled well IMO

[Mase]

It's annoying Mahrez gets more time than him.

[Hazy2]

I think the question raised by NT is valid. This Kid Garcia, looks like a Rolls Royce to me you see that in a flash. Foden is a talent no doubt but needing games and getting them at City is not going to be easy for any MF player let alone a Kid.

Garcia is a quality prospect but as yet that's all he is and he no more ready to be a regular first teamer than Phil is.

Last night I thought he looked very good but the previous game I saw him he was woeful. Poor decision making , gave a first minute penalty away , poor passing , travelled with the ball but lost it leaving the defence totally exposed. And he showed he lacks pace.

He needs time , and gradual exposure to real men's football while he develops further both in experience and phsically.

I agree Doug, Learning his trade, Garcia, reminds me of Silva at PSG, but at Milan was on occasions caught out by say top forwards trying to much or his position was wrong,You see Silva the man now and his time in Italy, has paid off. Like v the scousers the he was reading Sala like a book. He let him back in for his throw himself to the ground trick, pinched it and reduced Sala to 0 threat.