Pep Guardiola expects Phil Foden's achievements at the U-17 World Cup to benefit both Manchester City and England down the line
Pep Guardiola expects Phil Foden's achievements at the U-17 World Cup to benefit both Manchester City and England down the line. Stockport-born midfielder Foden was named player of the tournament on Saturday having scored twice in the final as England came from behind to beat Spain 5-2. Foden could have made his senior debut for City in last week's League Cup clash with Wolves but Guardiola left him in India, believing his involvement was more crucial to his development. Foden, 17, typically an attacking central midfielder, was pivotal to England's fightback in Kolkata playing in a more unfamiliar wider berth.
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England's Phil Foden poses with the man-of-the-tournament trophy on Saturday. Pic/AFP
Foden netted his second in the final moments before Guardiola conducted his press conference after City's senior team defeated West Brom 3-2. "What position did he play," Guardiola asked. "When I find out, I will put him in this position if he scores two goals in the final! He's trained with us (the senior team) every single day.
Pep Guardiola
Of course, he is just 17. He is a young player. He is a player in our squad. Every day he is in the locker with our guys. "That is the best way to learn, from the experienced guys, about what it means to be at a high level. It is so important for City, for him, for everybody, that he played in that competition. We cannot forget. He played at a World Cup — England are world champions at that age. "When that guy grows and plays in a World Cup in the future, he has lived that situation before and knows what he has to do," he added.
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