Manchester City hat-trick hero Phil Foden says he prefers central role – could he feature there for England? | Football News

Phil Foden hopes to cement his place in a central place after hauling Manchester City to inside two factors of Premier League leaders Liverpool on Monday Night Football.

Foden hit a hat-trick as City got here from behind to beat bogey staff Brentford 3-1 and climb as much as second within the Premier League.

Victory in west London, coupled with Arsenal’s win over Liverpool on Sunday, leaves Pep Guardiola’s facet two factors behind the Reds with a recreation in hand.

Brentford have been the one staff to beat City house and away final season, and the ‘three-peat’ regarded on when Neal Maupay fired them into the lead.

But Foden hauled City degree earlier than the interval, headed them in entrance early within the second half after which accomplished a trendy treble to go away the guests with their title future firmly in their very own arms.

Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards with the match ball in his arms, Foden stated: “I’m an individual that adapts and performs loads of positions when wanted. I do know I’ll try this with Manchester City and need to be prepared. I’m having fun with enjoying within the center and that is the place I see myself. Hopefully I can get extra recreation time enjoying there.

“The [first] objective got here at a good time, going into the break equalising offers you an excellent feeling going into the second half. It’s so tough right here, they’ve given large groups issues however I assumed we deserved it.

“All I set myself is to try to better last year’s stats and just try to improve every year, more goals and more assists. I need to keep going and showing this level of performance more often. I don’t score a lot of headers so I’m delighted with that one.”

They might have lagged behind the tempo-setters for a lot of the season, however with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne again from damage, and Foden on this kind of type, an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League crown appears effectively inside their functionality.

Foden added: “We know the quality they have. [Ivan] Toney is one of the best in winning aerial duels, we knew the threat he would have. They are a fantastic team and we had to react and we did that well and I’m delighted with the outcome of the game.

“We stayed calm and we’re a staff that trusts our means. There have been ups and downs however we needed to stay affected person. They closed the areas however we remained affected person, managed the sport and created probabilities, which was good to see.

“I’m really glad with my performances and am playing a lot of minutes inside, where I want to be, and I’m delighted with the way I’m playing. I’m playing the best form I’ve had in a City shirt consistently for a long time and long may that continue and I will keep working hard on the training ground.”

Pep: Foden ‘enjoying his greatest season since we’re collectively’

City made what looks like a big transfer within the title race – and Pep Guardiola was stuffed with reward for one man specifically.

“He has played a lot of games,” Guardiola instructed Sky Sports when requested about Foden’s contribution. “He is a guy that plays different positions and has the ability in spaces and the centre of goal because he likes to arrive in the box.

“They [Brentford] are so deep, areas are tough so to have a participant transferring in these areas is so vital. He loves transferring within the 18-yard field and he is enjoying his greatest season since we’re collectively.”

Later in his press conference, Guardiola was asked how much Foden could still improve.

“His limits, he will decide,” the City boss added. “I want as much for him to improve, football is the most important thing in his life, aside from his family and children. This season he has been so important for us.

“In phrases of how he strikes in small areas and after, I’ve seen many gamers within the small areas who’re actually good, however the affect – you might have the sensation when he will get the ball then, he’s going to attain, he’s going to shoot, he’s going to make an help. That’s tough to seek out.

“His combination of being good in the pockets but also after being like a knife. To be so, so aggressive in trying to score goals. I have seen few players like him.”

Why cannot Bellingham and Foden play centrally for England?

Foden has been concerned in 15 Premier League objectives this season – solely 4 gamers have amassed extra objective involvements. The query now will flip to how greatest he may be deployed by Gareth Southgate forward of this summer season’s European Championship finals in Germany.

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher instructed Monday Night Football: “It’s really interesting what he said about playing more centrally. In terms of natural-born talent in the England squad, you think Jude Bellingham is perhaps the only one who can go up against him.

“What Bellingham has performed within the final 18 months is sort of make the England staff his personal the place the staff goes to be constructed round him. I assumed that was going to be Phil Foden two or three years in the past. It hasn’t fairly occurred.

“When he plays for City, you’re never quite sure if he’s going to be playing on the right, on the left or central. I don’t think that’s helped him.

“I feel it’s a little bit of a conundrum for the England supervisor. If Bellingham is at No 10, does that imply Foden must be on the left with Bukayo Saka on the best? The reality he’s needed to transfer positions so typically has in all probability hindered him.

“I thought when David Silva moved on, it would be his natural next step to play more centrally as a left-footed but it didn’t happen. It feels Pep Guardiola puts a lot on playing centrally and thought he could learn the game better playing wider.

“For England, there isn’t any purpose why he cannot play in that place. I feel criticism of Gareth Southgate being too defensive could be a little excessive, however this may be a daring transfer, and why not while you’ve obtained gamers of that high quality. In Spain, he and Bellingham would play as two No 8s.”

Plenty still to come from Foden

Sky Sports’ Ron Walker on the Gtech Community Stadium:

“It takes some reminding that Phil Foden is still only 23 years old. The way he ghosts into space – like for his second goal – and how he glides past defenders – like for his third – are not something you would associate with a player still a few years from their prime.

“There is credence to Pep Guardiola’s assertion that Foden is among the many most harmful gamers in tight areas he has ever labored with.

“It always seemed like he would end up playing in a more central role at some point given that priceless quality. And now he is thriving in it.

“Haaland was the proper foil for two of his three objectives, drawing two defenders in the direction of him on each events and leaving area for Foden to work his magic. Not everybody would anticipate that and react accordingly, however he is as clever as he is technically gifted.

“Two questions remain. Where does he fit for England – because surely, he fits somewhere – and how far can he go from here?

“At worldwide degree, the left flank appears the possible match given his expertise there for Man City and Gareth Southgate’s present desire to play Jude Bellingham as his most superior central midfielder.

“In terms of his potential, it’s perhaps best to channel his club manager and mentor. ‘His limits, he will decide,’ Guardiola said when asked to ponder that same thought.

“Given what Foden has determined in his brief profession up to now, which will effectively imply there continues to be lots extra to come back.”

Carra: Why should not City goal one other treble?

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football:

“Why isn’t it a possibility? They’re going to be favourites for every competition they’re in. I don’t see anyone close to them, too much, in the Champions League.

“They’ve obtained over that barrier final season by placing that to mattress by way of profitable it – and so they’re large favourites within the different two as effectively.

“From Arsenal and Liverpool’s point of view, there will be a sense that City are back and they’re going to go on another long run.

“Arsenal and Liverpool have each obtained to play City. If you are going to win the league, you are going to need to beat City. You’re going to be favourites within the different video games you go into, so it is vital for the gamers, employees and supporters to not get too downhearted with what Manchester City are doing.

“Forget City. When you play them, do the job, but apart from that just concentrate on your own game and drag it out for as long as possible. Then, who knows what can happen?”

What’s subsequent?

Brentford go to Wolves within the Premier League at Molineux on Saturday; kick-off 3pm. Meanwhile, Manchester City host Everton on the Etihad Stadium on the identical day; kick-off 12.30pm.

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