There was a lot for Manchester City fans to smile about in yesterday’s 4-1 demolition of Manchester United, but seeing local hero Phil Foden shine in a game he grew up watching in the stands will have been a particular highlight – and he may have even solved Pep Guardiola’s false nine conundrum.
For the last two years, Guardiola has been searching for someone to master the role. Partially forced by Manchester City’s failure to recruit a recognised number nine, it was a tactical shift that was needed to rejuvenate a slightly stagnating side.
Many have tried to become a regular starter in the position – Ferran Torres, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish to name a few – but none have perfected their craft as much as Foden, and his performance in the Manchester derby typified everything Guardiola wants from a player in that position.
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Starting between Grealish and Riyad Mahrez, the 21-year-old was allowed the freedom of the Etihad Stadium to showcase his talent. He dropped deep at times, he made killer runs in behind and his link-up play created countless opportunities – it was close to flawless.
From the off, Foden was spinning away from Harry Maguire and making himself available for quick one-twos with City’s defensive line. It may not seem like much, but his movements allowed for the Blues to progress up the field quickly and break United’s visibly high press.
Maguire was heavily criticised amongst the United fanbase after the game, but it was Foden who was constantly pulling the club captain out of position and leaving the space for City’s wingers to exploit.
Of course, there were occasions when the Stockport-born forward was allowed to express his own quality. None more so than City’s second goal, where Foden magically lifted the ball over Victor Lindelöf’s head on the edge of the box and forced David De Gea into a fine save, before De Bruyne, via Bernardo Silva, fired City back in front.
He continued to be a menace in the second half, with his dogged pressing a nightmare for United’s defence. His energy never faded, and his two-man press with Silva in the dying moments of the game, all the way in his own teams’ right-back area, summarised his classy display.
Perhaps the only thing missing from Foden’s performance was a goal for himself. There were a few times the forward snatched at some opportunities, but his all-round display was something that transcended any goal contribution, and Guardiola will certainly feel the same.
Guardiola has shuffled his front line a lot this season, but Foden has shown time and time again that he is the man for the big occasion and definitely the most capable of operating the false nine role in the Catalan’s image.
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