Courtesy: Manchester Evening News
Foden has established himself as a key player in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI this season, making 48 appearances across all competitions. In City’s incredible season, the Stockport-born star has scored 15 goals and registered 10 assists.
It has truly felt like a ‘coming-of-age’ season for 20-year-old Phil Foden, and Gullit believes he has everything it takes to become a global superstar. Gullit even went so far as to say that he believes Foden is on par with Lionel Messi, the all-time great.
Ruud Gullit said:
“In the past, only the big, strong, quick players were the ones always selected by the English teams but now I think smaller, agile, and more technical players are trusted more.
“City has given Foden his chance and he has shown he is unbelievable, that he is in the same category as Lionel Messi.”
“He is not exactly like Messi as a player – no-one is – but with his stature, his height, his quickness – he is the same. He is a wonderful player and I’ve loved watching him.”
Let’s be clear: Foden has a long way to go before he can even consider matching some of Messi’s numbers, but the signs are all there. He has been unplayable at times this season and has been a driving force in City’s run to their first Champions League final.
Foden came up through City’s youth system and made his senior debut under Guardiola. Guardiola has previously referred to the City midfielder as the “Most talented player I have ever seen.”
If City defeats Chelsea in the Champions League final on May 29th in Portugal, the England international could add a Champions League winner’s medal to his collection. He’s also part of England’s squad in the Euros. Can he inspire them to the trophy?