PHIL FODEN is used to being in comparison with Barcelona legends.
Ever since he burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old, folks have affectionately nicknamed him the “Stockport Iniesta”.
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But there was an excellent larger praise from former Nou Camp coach Pep Guardiola within the aftermath of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
The Etihad chief talked about Foden in the identical sentence as the nice Lionel Messi — due to his growing knack of being a match-winner.
Guardiola was fast to level out he isn’t placing the England ace on the similar stage as his outdated Barca favorite simply but.
In any case, he doesn’t imagine anybody at the moment taking part in on the prime stage even comes near the Argentina World Cup-winner in his heyday.
Nevertheless it was nonetheless the best reward — on the again of calling the Metropolis midfielder the very best participant within the Premier League.
And after his two second-half objectives turned the sport in his group’s favour as they gained 3-1 on the Etihad, it’s exhausting to argue.
Guardiola stated: “With the great gamers — and I met the biggest-ever participant in Messi — you possibly can play properly however it’s important to win video games.
“I don’t wish to examine as a result of Phil is just not the extent of Leo — he can do all the pieces however he’s profitable video games as properly.”
When advised what his boss had stated, Foden advised Viaplay: “No method!
“I wish to be that participant who wins video games for the group — and switch up within the largest video games. You can’t examine anybody to Messi, he’s in his personal world.
“However to listen to one thing like that from the supervisor is very nice.”
Even from a younger age, coaches who labored with Foden noticed comparisons with Leo Messi.
Former Metropolis academy director Steve Eyre advised talkSPORT: “I’ve solely seen Lionel Messi higher — by way of the steadiness, which units him aside.
“Now Foden’s legs and hips have thickened up he’s not really easy to knock off the ball. But when he ever hits the bottom he bounces straight again up. He can get a lot better.”
It was in Tokyo throughout Metropolis’s summer season tour that Foden first spoke about his want to be the primary man on the membership.
He has been studying his commerce — since breaking by way of six seasons in the past — within the shadows of gamers like David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
However he coveted the possibility to play centrally, saying he would have the ability to present extra of his dazzling array of expertise in that place.
And when De Bruyne’s hamstring surgical procedure meant that chance got here up for him, he stepped effortlessly and enthusiastically into the hole left by the Belgian maestro.
Now KDB is again, Foden is spending extra trip huge.
However the confidence he has gained from his excellent season continues to be evident. And one of many causes Guardiola charges Foden as the very best round is his versatility — he could be efficient on both flank or down the center.
The Prem is packed filled with superstars however few can supply that type of brilliance in a wide range of completely different positions.
He’s additionally scoring objectives — 18 means he has already loved his best-ever season and there may very well be as much as 19 extra matches nonetheless to return.
Certainly he shall be within the dialog when the person awards are handed out later within the spring.
What is evident is Metropolis’s boy surprise has grown up in latest months — and the Treble winners are reaping the profit.
‘I WANT TO SCORE EVEN MORE’
Foden, who gained the Premier League player-of-the-match award in Sunday’s Manchester derby, added: “I’ve been practising on my ending this yr — quite a bit after coaching. However I wish to be that participant profitable the large matches for the group.
“I’ve acquired a superb run of video games now — I appear to be beginning much more and I believe that helps to search out your toes. I wish to be concerned in objectives and at all times be within the field.
“It’s coming off properly this yr and I wish to rating much more.
“I simply assume I’ve grown as a participant. Annually I’ve put the work in on the coaching pitch and I’m now getting the rewards that I deserve.”
With that in thoughts, you is likely to be seeing much more of Foden’s “sniper” celebration within the weeks — and seasons — forward.
He added: “It’s mainly a joke from the lads. They are saying that I shoot quite a bit in coaching they usually name me The Sniper. It’s my celebration now. I love to do it.”
