Manchester, February 24, 2024, The Europe Today: Following Manchester City’s narrow 1-0 victory against Bournemouth on Saturday, manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on forward Phil Foden, recognizing him as a world-class performer in his own right. Foden’s decisive ninth league goal of the season secured the win, pushing the reigning champions to within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Despite the presence of star players like Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne, Foden emerged as the standout performer, demonstrating his prowess on the field. Guardiola, in a post-match interview, emphasized Foden’s crucial role in maintaining City’s pursuit of a fourth successive title.
“Forget about the goals — of course, they are important — but do you know how he played? How he controlled and accelerated. He has become already a top-class football player,” Guardiola declared, praising Foden’s versatility and effectiveness.
The 23-year-old forward has not only been a prolific goal-scorer with nine league goals but has also contributed seven assists this season, solidifying his position as one of City’s leaders on the pitch.
“He’s so good. He can play everywhere, especially in the central position and play really, really good,” Guardiola added, highlighting Foden’s adaptability and impact across different positions.
Manchester City is currently on an impressive 11-game unbeaten streak in the league. Guardiola expressed his surprise at the squad’s durability, particularly considering the demanding calendar and high expectations.
“What can I say? The calendar is so demanding, and the expectations are so high. What they have done for many years with a lot of games and many things. And always you believe they will fall down and won’t continue to do it — they surprise me,” Guardiola remarked.
With Liverpool and Arsenal closely contesting the title race, Manchester City’s ability to consistently produce results in the business end of the season reaffirms their status as formidable contenders for the Premier League crown.
