Pep Guardiola has stated City star Phil Foden is capable of deputising at left-back or left-wing back “in an emergency”, amid concerns of Guardiola leaving his squad too thin and not signing a replacement for the departed Joao Cancelo. “I prefer to play Phil [Foden] in other positions. In an emergency, he can play there [left-back or left wing-back]. Now he plays his natural positions, behind the striker.” [via@_joebray].
Foden, 22 has appeared 27 times for the Blues so far this season, scoring 9 times and assisting a further 4 times. Most notably, Foden scored a hat-trick alongside City teammate Erling Haaland in his side’s 6-3 decimation of rivals Manchester United in early October. However, Foden’s form has plummeted over recent months and the England international has featured in just 334 minutes of action out of a possible 900 since City returned from the World Cup. Foden has contributed 0 goals and 0 assists in that time also and looks a far cry of the player we saw at the beginning of the season, one full of confidence, and a willingness to take on his marker and commit defenders. Perhaps, it was Foden was being subtly mentioned when City boss Pep Guardiola mentioned a lack of ‘body language’ from certain players as an explanation for their lack of game time.
Guardiola has confirmed in his press conference ahead of the Tottenham game this Sunday that Foden is available for selection after a foot injury, and City fans will be hoping the 22-year-old can rediscover his form and help his side to achieve their first win at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium and chase down Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side in the Premier League title race.