Man City face Phil foden and Kevin De Bruyne collision course unless Pep Guardiola fines solution

Man City face Phil foden and Kevin De Bruyne collision course unless Pep Guardiola fines solution

City could go back to the top of the Premier League with a win over Everton on Saturday

Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne at the end of the Premier League match against Brentford

Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden are both central figures at Manchester City

Phil Foden doubled down on his desire to be front and centre for Manchester City after his sparkling hat-trick in the win over Brentford last time out.

 

 

The 23-year-old is in the form of his career having already netted 14 times this campaign. The return of Kevin De Bruyne has presented Pep Guardiola with a wealth of options in attacking quarters, with Julian Alvarez also a candidate to play in a number 10 role.

 

De Bruyne’s ability, experience and class mean he is almost impossible to shift from a central role, given how central he is to City. But Foden, playing more inside at Brentford, showcased his ability to influence games from the middle with three excellent and very different finishes.

 

The dilemma facing Guardiola, particularly when the big games in the Premier League and Champions League roll around, is how to fit all his parts into a cohesive system that keeps each of the influencers content. Foden has made no secret of his preference, and did so again in the aftermath of the victory over the Bees.

 

 

“I am really delighted with my performances at the moment,” Foden told Sky Sports. “I think I’ve played a lot of minutes more inside now where I want to be.

 

“So yeah, I am delighted with the way I am playing. It’s probably the best form I’ve had for a long time, consistently, so long may it continue.

 

“It would help if I played one position and learned that position every game, but I am a person who adapts and plays a lot of positions when needed. I know in this team I am going to do that, play a lot of positions, so I am going to have to be ready.

 

“I am just enjoying playing anywhere in the middle, that is where I see myself and that’s where I see myself playing the best football. So, hopefully, I can keep getting more game time in the middle and hopefully keep playing there as long as I can.”

 

It’s almost incomprehensible that Foden or De Bruyne is sold and while the latter is 33 this year, he is showing no sign of waning and allowing the England international to take the mantle. So Guardiola must find a system to suit. He has consistently met and passed tactical challenges throughout his management career. Finding central space for the pair will be central to how City, and particular Foden, move forward.