The GENIUS Tactical Change That Won Man City The Premier League

Arsenal forced Manchester City to go to the final day, but Pep Guardiola's side were ahead within 3 minutes and never looked back. But as a fourth Premier League title heads to the Etihad, one player in a squad of superstars shone above all others. Phil Foden, finally trusted in the most important part of the pitch, has dragged City through a difficult season. Adam Clery looks at why his goal against West Ham was the perfect summation of his incredible season.
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[@jameelsulaiman2720]

Please please please make the damn Rodri video

[@milesmsomi6665]

He deserves one. He doesn't get nearly enough credit. Didn't lose a single game in the PL this season.

[@rickys7435]

The heartbeat of city and by far their most important individual player.

[@sagarmandhani]

We neeeeed a Rodri video. He deserves all that love.

[@chelseagodfather]

I’m a Chelsea fan but I need that Rodri video. I always focus on him when he’s on and off the ball. He’s a very brilliant player. World class.

[@gmoney1664]

Yes to a Rodri vid. He's a monster and arguably the most consistent (and to a massively high standard) player in the City squad. He's up there as the best to play in that position, in the premier league's history - appreciate Makelele is also very firmly in that debate, but while they're in the same role, they're very different players

[@johnlau6749]

That injury to John Stones and KDB pretty much force Pep abandon the whole last season perfect gameplan and start from scratch

[@russellward4624]

Walker being fit and desire to get Alvares in the starting 11 also.

[@davyvanderschoot6406]

I'm a budding midfield nerd, so I'd love a Rodri video

[@official_littlewolf]

We need that Rodri video. He deserves his flowers

[@broccolihikicks]

The other thing about Foden being trusted is around not giving the ball away. I think it was the Palace game when Foden was trying to dribble past players on the halfway line, lost the ball and Palace scored to take points. Guardiola was apeplectic. He seems to have got that out of his game, hence the trust. But on Rodri - thank you, please.

[@rb46692]

He's also become a very versatile and useful piece linking build-up and being available to absorb pressure in the build-up.

[@TristanSpow]

We need a Rodri vid

[@Avathor73]

Mixing up the attack with a few long-shots every now and then is just clever and wise. Because it means that the defenders cant just stay back and mark their man, but also have to push out in order to stop the long-shot. Creating room for the box-player.. (Haaland).

[@sibusisomahlangu398]

We still want the rodri video

[@isahamilton01]

Loved this one, and absolutely would be interested in a video on Rodri. Right now these two are the best in the world. Truly incredible stuff

[@ducks742]

The first time I ever saw Foden play was back in 2017 or 2018. The way he received the ball and turned simultaneously (like 9:08) really stuck with me. Happy to see he's still doing that move.

[@milesmsomi6665]

I have to say that, earlier in the season when Matheus Nunez, randomly, started playing well out wide, I had theorised that he could be the key to keep Foden and De Bruyne in the same 11 and solve Foden's defensive weakness. I basically said he would play out wide with possession, giving Phil the license to play in midfield and then playing alongside Rodri without the ball and Foden returning to his starting position on the left, to solve the defensive problem of having both KDB and Foden. But Pep decided to do me one better. He said, Gvardiol will be the wide player, Foden playing alongside De Bruyne in the box midfield and Kovacic playing alongside Rodri in the midfield (as opposed to John Stones, like last season.) What a manager. Knows whats best for the team and knows his player's abilities.

[@AphiweKruthani]

We want a Rodri video

[@sammakwela]

I'm not really a Man City fan, but give Rodri his video. What he does is less obvious than what Foden does. PS: Pep should come to South Africa to be a coaches coach. We already posses a similar football style. We just need that extra tactical prowess and we'll be like Brail.

[@kpmasters4857]

Rodri!! Rodri!! Rodri!!! He's City most important player.. As great as Foden was this season, they wouldn't win it without Rodri

[@ibrahimandong1572]

Let’s see a Rodri video 😢

[@karabomasibi2331]

Rodri video? Do it now!!!!

[@Zack-qu5qj]

Just get some rest man, and then you can make a Rodri video, I would really love to see that. And thank you for making this video !

[@GryphonB]

Stockport messi! We need that rodri video!!!

[@DocWalker202]

Great video as usual. Foden's technique when striking the ball is incredible.

[@geordiedog1749]

Be a lot happier once Mr Fodens help City win the FA cup, know what I mean, marra!

[@johnferguson4869]

I only saw Kaka on TV once, but he did that exact thing Foden did: take the ball in the middle, touch & score. ie Foden is the new Kaka?

[@kudakwashechikosi8046]

Rodri is the key here

[@tennistank7606]

RODRI VIDEO PLEASE!

[@jamesfoulkes1548]

Yes please. Rodri video

[@hmmhmm3452]

I'd love a Rodri video, from the eye test we can sing his praises to folks but hearing a full breakdown would be a lot of fun

[@ianbarton728]

Excellent video, Phil has been mint, now looking forward to seeing the one about Rodri!

[@englanduk6131]

Palmer was never a regular... He was never going to be a regular, he made the right choice joining Chelsea and Foden stepped into centre midfield and thrived!!!

[@MrAhmed-dx5hw]

Make one on caicedo

[@lazlopanoflax6]

Rodri schmodri! I really want to see a video on how the flip Southgate could/should/(probably won't) set up with Foden and Bellingham in the Euros.

[@jjfilmsandtrends5784]

please make a video showing that Rodri is better than Rice

[@alexe5691]

No shame lmaoooo

[@englanduk6131]

​​@@alexe5691it's an insult to Rodri to mention rice in the same comment!!.... Rodri is a Rolls Royce in comparison to rice's ford fiesta!!! 😂

[@alexe5691]

@@englanduk6131 Was that supposed to be funny?

[@englanduk6131]

@@alexe5691 Nope!... Factual!!! 😁

[@BobBallsache-ub5kg]

Love the analysis each and every time so yes, please make the Rodri video.

[@Wise007Man]

Excellent analyses

[@ldjones94]

Liverpool fan here, would absolutely love too see a rodri video please!

[@L0c03]

omg a NYCFC kit :D CMON CITY BOYS!!!

[@endriasnoah952]

We neeeeeeed that Rodri video pleaseeeeee

[@oussemamenthole2586]

Please we still need the in depth Rodri videooooo

[@ndhlovumichael]

Waiting for the Rodrigo video

[@joelwebster8227]

Yup, while Pep has always been allergic to shots from range, he has finally spotted Foden’s superpower. Rodri video please!

[@blubolt7692]

Where’s the Endo appreciation video?

[@asimale1104]

yesss rodri video pleaseeee.......

[@lawrencengumbah6440]

Yes looking forward to Rodri video. Thanks in advance.

[@DaBaronSamedi]

I would like a Rodri video please: he's the definition of a talisman. And also a look at why England don't produce players like him

[@iilwjcanc]

So how does Southgate get foden and Bellingham into the England side and fix the midfield to get the best of both? That's the question.

[@russellward4624]

Foden as 8, Bellingham as BB/8 hybrid. But he won't do that. He'll continue to play 7 defenders and hope they score on a set piece.

[@iilwjcanc]

@@russellward4624 No number 10 then? 4 options... - Make rice stay back as cdm and play a man city 4141, but trust maguire to hold the fort when stones steps up to help in cm - play foden out wide with permission to roam where he likes, but needing a high lb to keep the width and expect Maguire to cover - bench one of them - invent a time machine, and give other cb pairings experience 2 years ago, when everyone else in the world could see maguire was a liability

[@gsgaming316]

I’m a Newcastle fan and I would like a rodri video the guy is quality

[@philo9570]

You should do a video comparing Rodri, Rice? Endo? And other central DMs

[@arndtkubosch4396]

I would definitely like a Rodi video.

[@arkdhpl9465]

The other two parts of this are 1) his pressing has significantly improved and he’s better able to cover the wide areas while drifting inside and 2) his ball retention skills have developed to give him more of that “pausa” trait that defines Pep’s sides

[@rickys7435]

Genuinely didn’t know it was blue screen! I’m an idiot! 🤦‍♂️ 😂

[@TK_Brainslug]

Sleep deprived Adam is hilarious

[@TristanSpow]

Generational.

[@user-ve9pp9ec7u]

A Rodrigo Hernandez video is quite due Adam.

[@dedwunn427]

Need that Rodri video 👍

[@JimTheFly]

Man City dropped 8 points in their last 23 PL matches. Arsenal dropped 5 points in their last 18 PL matches. If Arsenal "bottled" at all at any point, it was the 5-game run in December where they took 4 points in 5 matches. But that was right after Man City had no wins in 4 and only managed 3 draws. So we've just had 5 months of INSANE football from two spectacular teams. Oh and also, Rodri Video Yes Plz.

[@PlasticMancityFan]

I neeeed a Rodri video man

[@leonmeyers7009]

Pure Rodri video 🙏

[@engrave_daniel9370]

Please make more videos

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

Need a good breakdown of palace’s recent form

[@shivasriram9179]

Rodri definitely needs one

[@souptikchaki4292]

Please please please please make that Rodri Video 🩵 We love him!

[@GoulartGH]

there'll be certainly some time to spare between the FA Cup final and the start of the Euros, so a Rodri video during that break would be very very welcome!

[@TWW-zk9gw]

Man City's genius tactics: play Michael Oliver, Stewart Atwell, and Howard Webb together. Every game

[@SuperMingaling]

Definitely make a Rodri video but please also make a Bernardo Silva video 😎

[@MrWoodsey96]

Would love to see a video of rhodri v rice comparison

[@lqkpa.s]

rodri vid please adam

[@Tsh336e]

We need a video on Kyle Walker as well. Second half of the season he was more confident in creating chances and putting in more crosses.

[@zubeirismail1582]

we neeeeed the rodri video and gvardiol video

[@karlos55555]

I've always said Phil is wasted on the wing. He's got so much more weapons in his Armoury than sticking him out on the touchline, I'm glad Pep finally agreed with me 😉

[@BestBoyPatrick]

Not a city fan but I would definitely be interested in a Rodri-centric video

[@zeke9698able]

Go City!! Go City!!! Go City!!! 4x Champsssss 🎉

[@gregheath2314]

would love to see the Rodri video

[@jvkanufan8115]

I'm not a Man City fan - but '👍' to Rodri video, please?

[@carlheald9228]

Do the rodri one please

[@ryanschultz4119]

Nearly everyone asserts club's competing with Manchester City for the title need to build a significant lead by Christmas. Yet the vast majority of fans & pundits are excusing Arsenal finishing 2nd, because they only loss to Villa in the 2nd half of the season. Which is commendable, but they failed to capitalize when City were struggling & dealing with the Club World Cup.

[@aimanazrie8944]

Nah arsenal did well, they didn't bottle it. City is as always a strong team. But that one red team definitely bottled it 😂

[@abdaf8706]

I want that Rodri video

[@yewtree7]

Always entertaining - even tired 😄 you should try doing it drunk as well - that would be fantastic

[@thabomphuthi9739]

Is that an old kit, or new. Because i thought puma deal was across all city group teams

[@MarkTroy-hz8oq]

bit of mr beast esque thumbnail and video title changing happening here at fourfourtwo hey

[@vigneshvpillai8281]

Bring on the rodri video

[@Pops.medallion]

we need a rodri video !!!!

[@TheMiguel4710]

Adam every week: "Sorry, I'm tired, for those of you who are new, our videos are usually better than this." (Proceeds to make the best video ever)

[@vuangxuan1766]

it’s all about the timing, i think Pep didn’t want to use Foden 10 when his other ways still works who knows if he used it too early in the season other teams would start to find ways to counter 🤷‍♂️

[@thabangmakawu7543]

I’m waiting for that Rodri video

[@TheHighCouncil420real]

Can you talk about Rodri?

[@shikhorwahed]

Bro do the Rodri video

[@mohammedsuliman8403]

can't wait for the Rodri video

[@KaweesaTanansi]

Do us a rodri video boss

[@BillRicker]

"Why do you ask? " 😆

[@riversonthemoon]

Please make two Rodri videos. One serious, and one comedic.

[@JohnWickin]

Hey Adam whats your take on the prem being boring. I couldn't disagree more. Many of the recent titles have been decided on the last day or by individual moments through out the season. It just looks boring because cit have won those moments and subsequently those titles. For example the John stones goal line clearance, the time city were nill down to villa on the last day, The aguero moment, some of the shit reffering that has done city a few favours this season.

[@fader1912]

I need a rodri vid now 😠😠

[@rommanahmed6315]

Please please make a rodri video

[@ericmadongonda4854]

I see everyone's commenting on Rodri so yeah...RODRI VIDEO PLEASE!!!

[@MissClawdy1]

Rodri deserves a video too please 🩵

[@bryand8829]

Gvardiol and Rodri retrospective nao. 😅

[@user-nb1oi3tx3b]

Liverpool would have won the EPL this season if they had put Salah in the middle instead of letting him rot on the touchline

[@Drpepper842]

I want that video