Phil Foden — Winger Extraordinaire?

Phil Foden has had a marvelous return to action and that could lead to a permanent starting position. It would be out wide if Pep’s recent comment are anything to go by.

Pep said, “He has everything to become one of the best players,” he said.

“I have said many times in press conferences, but maybe not said it in front of him, Phil is the most, most, most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager.

“The good players play everywhere, so the guys who understand the game — every single moment, every single action — they can play everywhere, and Phil is one of them,” Guardiola said on Monday night.

“Especially up front, so of course, he’s not a winger winger but he can play. We can’t forget he won the (Under-17) World Cup with England playing as a right winger. He can play in every position but I like him playing close to the box because he has something special with the sense of goal. It’s not easy to find wingers with the sense of goal.”

“I like him playing close to the box,” Guardiola says, seriously raising the possibility that Foden does not spend much time in midfield at all. “He’s not a winger winger all the time but he can play there. I think he can play all the positions up front, all of them.”

Sam Lee of The Athletic, had a really good deep dive on this, found here, one which I agree with.

If Pep can see Foden playing out wide, but pinch in and be close to box, that could bring out the best in him. Which would be great or Man City.

If there is no need for another winger, maybe they can finally signa world class center back.

Only time will tell.