Gary Lineker praises the “exceptionally brilliant” Phil Foden following Manchester City’s victory over Copenhagen. Despite earning £225,000 per week (according to Sport Rac), Foden’s impact extended beyond his goal in the 92nd minute when he converted Kevin De Bruyne’s cut-back.
While acknowledging the team’s solid, if unspectacular, performance against Copenhagen, Lineker specifically commends Foden for his outstanding contribution. Rio Ferdinand also highlights Foden as Manchester City’s standout player throughout the season, emphasizing his importance to the team.
Lineker describes Foden as “outrageously brilliant,” a sentiment echoed by Ferdinand, who notes Foden’s consistent excellence on the field. Foden’s versatility is highlighted, with his adeptness in both traditional right-wing and central positions causing problems for Copenhagen. His technical prowess, intelligent passing, and quick thinking make him a constant threat, earning him accolades from Lineker for being a joy to watch.
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Steve Bruce shares what Pep Guardiola told him about ‘unbelievable’ Man City star back in 2020
In 2020, Steve Bruce disclosed insights from a conversation with Pep Guardiola regarding a standout player at Manchester City. With Guardiola’s extensive tenure at the club since 2016, he has overseen numerous player transitions. Yet, it’s intriguing to learn what the esteemed City manager shared with a former Premier League manager about one of his current talents.
Bruce shares what Guardiola told him about City star back in 2020
During a chat with BBC 5 Live Sport, Bruce reflected on an exchange he had with Pep before a game against his team. Pep expressed confidence in Foden, mentioning they didn’t need to replace Silva because they had a talented youngster in him. Bruce recalled this conversation from four or five years ago, marveling at Foden’s remarkable growth. Despite his youth, Foden has already secured multiple Premier League titles, a testament to his talent.
Silva’s departure from the Etihad Stadium in 2019 marked the end of a decade-long stint, during which he made 436 appearances, scoring 77 goals and providing 140 assists, while clinching four Premier League titles.
Foden’s rise to prominence, despite debuting in November 2017, underscores Guardiola’s belief in his abilities. Silva, too, endorsed Foden, affirming Manchester City’s future was secure with him in the lineup. Foden’s current season stats, boasting 21 goals and 10 assists in 44 games, validate the trust placed in him by Silva and Guardiola.
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‘The doctor said’… Pep Guardiola shares Kevin De Bruyne injury update after 1-0 win vs Brentford
Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the injury situation involving Kevin De Bruyne following Manchester City’s 1-0 victory against Brentford. The surprise decision to have the £400,000-a-week midfielder on the bench raised eyebrows, especially in a crucial game for City’s Premier League title race.
Guardiola’s choice not to start De Bruyne and substitute Jeremy Doku instead, despite the game being tied at 0-0 before Erling Haaland’s decisive goal, fueled speculation about a potential injury. Guardiola addressed the situation after the match, shedding light on De Bruyne’s suspected hamstring issue.
“We cannot use Kevin [De Bruyne] today because he has niggles in his hamstring position, I didn’t want to take any risks with him,” Guardiola explained, emphasizing a cautious approach to the star player’s fitness. Despite categorizing the concern as not serious, Guardiola stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary risks, stating, “He’s okay, it’s just more caution and prevention that I think, but he didn’t feel comfortable. The doctor said it is a little risk, and I said, okay. After five months off, we didn’t take any risks about that over him.”
Guardiola’s decision not to risk De Bruyne during this crucial stage of the season is seen as a wise move. As Manchester City faces challenging opponents like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa in March, preserving De Bruyne’s fitness becomes paramount. Given the midfielder’s significance to the team, ensuring his full recovery is crucial for City’s aspirations in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Fans hope for his swift return to action to minimize the impact of his potential absence in upcoming crucial fixtures.
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Tim Sherwood shares who he reckons will win the PL title – Arsenal or Man City
Tim Sherwood has weighed in on the Premier League title race between Arsenal and Manchester City. Currently, City trail Arsenal by just one point, but they have a game in hand. Following their recent 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, City now have only four matches left in the season. As the race heats up, Sherwood, a pundit well-versed in Premier League triumphs, has offered his insights on this crucial battle at the summit.
Sherwood drops title verdict
In a recent video posted on the Premier League website, Sherwood shared his thoughts on how he believes the rest of the title race will unfold.
He stated, “I anticipate Arsenal winning their last three matches, but I doubt it will suffice. My prediction is that Man City will clinch victories in their final four games.”
Sherwood added, “While Tottenham historically poses a challenge for Man City, judging from their performance today [in the 3-2 loss to Arsenal], if they afford City the same opportunities, they’ll be vulnerable to exploitation.”
Manchester City boasts a record of 24 wins, seven draws, and three losses in their 34 league matches, scoring 82 goals and conceding 32.
In contrast, Arsenal has secured victory in 25 out of 35 games, with five draws and five losses, tallying 85 goals scored and 28 conceded.
City need to be perfect to win the title
As Sherwood highlighted, one of City’s upcoming challenges involves a trip to north London to face Tottenham Hotspur among their remaining four fixtures.
Thankfully for City, they dispelled their previous struggles at this venue by securing a 1-0 victory against Ange Postecoglou’s side in the FA Cup earlier this season.
Moreover, City possesses the experience of closing out Premier League campaigns with a string of victories, a crucial factor, as Sherwood pointed out, if they aim to claim another trophy.
