Kevin de Bruyne has predicted that Phil Foden will eventually change roles at Manchester City following his hat-trick in the derby day win over Manchester United.
Foden opened the scoring for the hosts before adding another two goals as Pep Guardiola's men embarrassed their bitter rivals. The 23-year-old has become a key player for Guardiola since breaking into the City team in 2017, winning four Premier League titles.
While he came through the academy as a central midfielder, he has mainly been selected in City's attacking three by his boss. That has led to a return of 51 goals in 180 appearances in all competitions, but De Bruyne does not believe his long-term future lies up-front.
Instead, the Belgian international has tipped Foden to move back into central midfield in the coming years. De Bruyne believes the youngster still has work to do before he is ready for that change, but predicted he will thrive.
“He will improve because he's only 22. I know at 22 I wasn't the player that I am now. He's so good so it's trying to find consistency. He's been playing unbelievably for us so he will be here for a long time,” he said.
“What is he good at? The better question is what is he not good at. He can play in a lot of different positions. I think eventually he will end up playing centrally in my opinion. But in this moment in time it is maybe a little bit better for him on the wing.
"Have more freedom and fewer instructions so he flows into the game. I eventually see him playing more centrally when he gets older and gets more stamina. It's all about little details to just find more consistency in the performances."
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One of Foden's rivals for a starting spot on the wing, Raheem Sterling, departed in the summer transfer window. Foden has thrived in his absence, scoring five goals in eight games to help City put the pressure on early leaders Arsenal.
Sterling himself had been an important player for City after his arrival from Liverpool. But De Bruyne insisted that the reigning champions would find a way to adapt without the England international.
”I don't feel like the energy before was any different as a player - maybe there was from management. If you have a couple of players with one years left on their contract and they choose a different challenge, it's maybe best to get some money for them even if the players were so important for us," he said.
“The guys who came in have done really well so we have to give props to them for coming in, changing teams and playing the way they are so it's good for us.”
City next face a trip to Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. They then host struggling Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, looking to close the one point gap that leaders Arsenal currently hold over them.
