We Need To Talk About Phil Foden.

[@tspcontent4630]

I do believe the media are very easy on Foden tbh. Instead of comparing him to players like Haaland & Vini who are already competing for ballon dors (who he is older than both of), they say he’s a “future star” & compare him to players that he’s 2-3 years older than like Palmer, Pedri, Wirtz, Simons, Bellingham & Musiala

[@Sadikha1]

Spot on he should not even be in same conversations of the likes of Jude, Vini and Musiala these guys have big moments and create things for the team when they need it where as Foden is heavily reliant on his team like KDB and Rodri look at him without KDB and Rodri this season he hasn’t done anything for City even the euros he ghosted he should not be picked for England again he contributes near enough nothing but Jude single handedly will take the game on his shoulder and fight for the team and assist or score goals all i see Foden doing is calling for the ball and then passing it right back to them he is useless in a England shirt.

[@brunocesarm.m9632]

The same media that is always ready to put Saka on the front page whenever England loose a game

[@tspcontent4630]

@@brunocesarm.m9632 yeah if saka had gone this long without scoring this season we would’ve heard about it waaay more loudly from the media

[@VitoCorleone66]

those same media were talking about Grealish as if he's 'future star' basically 2 years ago, while calling Sterling - who is like one year older - burnt out and over the hill

[@aidan2453]

The PFA player of the year has had less impact this season than Morgan Rogers a guy who was playing for Middlesbrough this time last year

[@tspcontent4630]

The issue with Foden is the public have misprofiled him. Because he’s got a good first touch people think he’s a tempo dictator like David Silva when in reality he’s an efficient final third player like Nkunku or Muller

[@void0350]

Bing Bing. Müller is lightyears ahaed in footballing iq and mentality. Hence overrated. The new Gazza 🤣🤣

[@lewisblackwiththenicehair]

​@Alexander-kc8oq just because he's been in bad form for a few months doesn't mean he profiles as a different player, he's still got the previous 5 years worth of providing decent G+A output. I actually think the original comment is speaking some sense, but people just follow the current narrative and think emotionally. That is the type of player Foden is at least trying to emulate, regardless of recent success, or moreover the lack of it.

[@Adamwhite-e9d]

Phil Foden has played a supporting role in a team that has dominated for pretty much his entire senior career. It’s quite concerning that in his mid-twenties, he doesn’t really put his stamp on a team whatsoever. His record for England is almost impossibly bad for the position that he plays. It’s as if he only knows one way to pull a team apart, the Pep way. Some players have had seven managers by the time they’re 25.

[@Do27gg]

I thinks it’s down to him not having a nailed on position. He’s an extremely talented player who hasn’t got a clear position. Similar to Trent with England/southgate

[@otdavid_]

​@@Do27ggBruh... Excuses for a player like that shows how football has declined. Saka played LB and/or LB for England in the Euro's just so Foden could play in his "correct" position. And he still had a worse game than Saka. Dude was subbed off in the Euro final and Palmer scored in 1/6th of the minutes he played. I don't think Palmer even played. The guy hadn't even played for days, came off the bench in the final and Scored a goal. Foden played EVERY SINGLE MATCH. And still couldn't register a goal or assist. Even Toney who came off the bench during injury time had a bigger impact than him, and registered an assist. Saka and Foden should never be in the same sentence as this guy. Ass player, and you guys are saying "because he isn't playing in his position"m. If so, why blame Saka and Bellingham who SAVED you lot, and didn't play in their"correct position because Southgate didn't know how to coach. Washed, systematic player. End of story.

[@Adamwhite-e9d]

@ That’s certainly a fair reason. Though I’d argue that Foden doesn’t (and currently isn’t) face the same amount of criticism that Trent does.

[@Rowan_0161]

​@@Adamwhite-e9d I think he dose though, just look at that Euroes played out of position and yet still running more then any player other than Rice, being one of our best chance creators, Foden has never been utilised right for England, only in that last few games where he actually started to make his mark. For city he was given the keys to the midfield last season and scored more non penalty goals than any other midfielder in history (if I'm not mistaken) and people will talk about Haaland but Fosen made 5 big chances for Haaland and he scored 1, Haaland was not helping Foden last year or this year where Foden has actually been preforming decently but doesn't have the Assists because haaland is missing 2-3 Big chances a game

[@gr3saeyend]

“doesnt really put his stamp on a team” brother he was the pots last year. 40 ga, countless in open play, countless winning/drawing goals, most goals outside the box. He made his stamp. clearly this is a mental health issue a long with availability in terms of health

[@OserojiemenKing]

Palmer is clear of Foden and I'm not even a Chelsea supporter.

[@Do27gg]

Palmer starting to become overrated

[@sdm_za]

​@@Do27gg Palmer doesn't rely on g/a to influence a game.

[@GermanChickenwing]

1 took his team to a league title while the other took his team to 6th..

[@sdm_za]

@@GermanChickenwing City would have won 4 in a row with or without Foden, stop being disingenuous.

[@GermanChickenwing]

@sdm_za And Utd would have won a treble without Ronaldo, Liverpool would have won their 1 pl without Salah, Leicester would have won their pl without Mahrez

[@mockingcommenter]

Finally someone bringing this up. Foden is not being talked about enough as going missing for Man City this season. Everyone talking about how big of a loss Rodri is but why isn't the guy who was allegedly "player of the season" instead of him stepping up to carry City through this period?

[@brandonadcock]

100%

[@2tecci333]

Everyone is talking about it literally

[@joepike6460]

Foden is a Pep lab baby, I said for years earlier in his career, he needed at least a season out on loan elsewhere to learn outside the bubble. It’s cost him and the best representation of that is with England, he is ineffective outside of a being an accessory in a perfectly balanced team. He’s not been programmed to be the main guy.

[@Do27gg]

Even Trent, who is a right back, takes games by the scruff of its neck. You can see it how once he gets wound up he brings out his inner stevie. If foden did what palmer did I’m sure he would actually be a better player

[@PhilHazell93]

Never thought Foden deserved the plaudits he received. He’s just very fortunate to play alongside a talented squad, when that goes missing so does he. He would disappear if he was at Southampton or Leicester, he’s not the player everyone thinks he is.

[@randomweeb2809]

I think what's dragging him down is his lack of versatility. Not to meatride, but Saka is the perfect example of an all-rounded attacker. He can score goals, provide assists, build up the attack/facilitate, defend, dribble past defenders, press (not as good as Havertz or Odegaard but still). If Foden focused more on his weaknesses rather than playing to his strengths, he'd be playing a lot better this season and provide a lot more to this City side.

[@DoFi12]

The English media have simply overhyped and misprofiled his talent. They built him up as a creative genius #10. He’s simply not that. He’s also benefitted massively from mostly being a squad player during his time at City, and like all City players, get elevated status because of the success of the team. Never seen him play decent, let alone thrive, in an average/underperforming team. Not a winger, not a midfielder. What is he?

[@xmari3goldx]

Thank you. I feel the same way.

[@elijahdoueu5074]

I totally agree with you here! I dont think hes ever been this creative no10/tempo dictating player that the media have built him up to be. In my opinion the best phil foden ive seen is him operating in the second striker role behind haaland. Allows him to take up dangerous positions, drifting into the box or picking it up just outside the box to shoot.

[@tspcontent4630]

@@DoFi12 yep, the fact that he’s small, has a good first touch and is good in tight spaces has made people assume he has other attributes that players who have those qualities usually have. Such as great vision & creativity

[@nudisco7882]

English media needed a new "he's a good English lad" golden boy - heir to Kane. Cole Palmer rode bench during Euros because of it. Mental.

[@nickortiz215]

I will admit I’m a Chelsea fan but I think Palmer is very clear of any British player. Right now top 5 best players in the world if not the best

[@alexbrown975]

Foden is a luxury player, they expose themselves when the team isn't performing. He doesn't have the character to carry a team. This is why he will always be behind Saka and Palmer in my opinion. His England performances only strengthen my point.

[@JamesLawrenceAllcott]

Where my Starboys at?

[@YRGHY2010]

On the toilet mate

[@Neatguyjake]

At Arsenal and Chelsea

[@ShaunLevett]

Classic system player. He's been moulded in to a perfect robot by Pep, just like Grealish. Except the difference is we know Grealish is a brilliant player when left to do his own thing, Foden seems to only be really effective in a specific system. Grealish has been neutered by a system, whereas Foden has been made to look good by it.

[@FlifeSworld]

Your brain is rotten

[@aidan2453]

He was good coming up winning the best player at the u21 euros I think it was but from very early he's been moulded into pep's system and seems to have just become a cog.

[@spencersanderson1894]

His first year or two he was more like how your explaining Grealish is, but I agree, he has been turned into a robot by Pep. If Foden wasn’t as city and was at a team like Liverpool or Chelsea he would be allowed to express himself and would probably be the player who first burst onto the scene.

[@M4NA5]

Obviously they’re all talented players but for me Saka clears both Palmer and Foden, simply due to the fact that Saka produces numbers from the RW that the other two are barely able to match while playing centrally. Saka’s only point of comparison in world football is Salah.

[@thomastuchel1726]

Did u get hit on the head with a pan? Palmer has 17 g/a in 15 prem games this szn

[@Do27gg]

It’s pretty poor how he isn’t city’s most important player yet

[@itzenorozco3734]

I feel like Christopher Walken would pronounce Phil Foden the same way he said Foo Fighters

[@baileyatkinson6]

Good discussion, tough for anyone to have a fair debate over this given most if not all do not know the personal situation behind the scenes.

[@Jim_Milton29]

This is what happens when PR wins over quality. Similar to what has happened with Rodri, wasn't the best Spanish player at Euros, wasn't the best City player yet wins Ballon D'or??? This guy, a very good player, was nowhere near "POTY". Turn & Shoot, as Pep describes him, is a good skill to have- but still only ONE skill. He's a limited player. People were talking about building the team around him 😂 People were calling him the most talented English player. 😂 Not even top 5 in England. PR & Aesthetic bias has led lots of clubs to overspend on average players, that's why it's so dangerous.

[@Justt_Jamzy]

Who's your top 5?

[@Jim_Milton29]

@Justt_Jamzy Kane, Trent, Jude, Stones, Saka, Rice... Take your pick.

[@bna919]

Nwaneri is what the English media thought Foden would be. I'm surprised he hasn't been hyped like Foden was already.

[@scotttocs]

Foden thrives when he's the guy. We saw when Haaland was injured last season.

[@matthenley3886]

He was great last season regardless of whether he played with or without Haaland.

[@QazwerDave]

Foden is good at very much, but great at nothing. Best in no position.

[@navifye]

Foden is just a good player who's extremely hyped and overprotected by the media. He's clearly a system player who can only thrive in one area of the pitch. The Euros discourse saying is a positional thing is complete nonsense. He was giving a free role and not only did he create an unbalanced attack by limiting others, but he also was complete shit. He's not this "starboy" that you guys think he is.

[@theanomity3185]

Really hope he does well, im betting football on Phil Foden

[@United_Wings]

He's like Rashford

[@thelegendthatischels]

Nah he's actually trying at least

[@jemi3869]

Not really, Rashford isn’t a system player. His form largely depends on himself and not so much the team.

[@Sadikha1]

Rashford isn’t a system player like Foden, difference is whenever Rasford is called up for his country he always performs and scores goals too. Foden in a England shirt can’t do shit

[@ashley_bell]

We need to talk about… Kalvin Phillips.

[@owengoldberg7253]

Hear me out, if pep stays then foden should go to PSG. Be the marquee player. Palmer would never have done an ounce of what he’s done in a pep system. Foden needs to be in a team he can create moments

[@davidej6310]

PSG? Oof you hate him.

[@bna919]

Pep system elevates Foden. You act as if it's holding him back. Foden is not the creative dynamo you think he is. Foden is a shadow striker that thrives from the spacing City can provide

[@azizanputra]

He completed club football, he completed life. He is English. I don't think he's gonna go further than this.

[@chrisdalberti]

The legend of Phil Fodens talent is greatly exaggerated. That’s the truth.

[@tashrif46]

Phil Foden never struck me as a player who can deliver in pressure situations. When the going gets tough and the teams needs him to bail them out, he struggles. When the whole team is firing on all cylinders, then he is outstanding. Just look at the last 3 international tournaments that he was picked in. He got outshone by other players. From what I have observed, he does well when the entire team does well, but he wont change games when you need him to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

[@gr3saeyend]

People way too harsh on foden. He’s the most talked about player in terms of negatives this season and yet everyone has the “no ones talking about foden” gimmick. Clearly going through something personal and health matters. If its a thing still in january february we can fully have this discussion

[@jamespace5429]

As other people have remarked, he just isn't, as of rn, the player people think he is. There was a clip of Theo Baker saying that "Foden ran games for City last year" and that really sums it up. Because of the aesthetic of his play - the first touch, the half turns, admittedly very elegant, people think of him as a creative 10. Hes not David Silva or Odegaard. He doesnt control games, he doesnt control tempo, he doesnt have the vision to consistently play through balls in tight spaces. But then, he also isnt a final ball expansive creator (KDB, Saka, Palmer). He is moment's player - turn, run, combo/shoot. And he is very good at that, when the system enables him to do that. But he is otherwise fairly (relatively speaking) limited, at least compared to some other players I've mentioned. Please stop watching his highlight comps and actual watch him game in game out. Last season agaisnt Madrid he scored an incredible goal. He did nothing in the rest of the tie. He is the cherry on top, and there's a lot of value in that, but he's not more than that. And it's frustrating to hear people INSIST he's the best English talent since Rooney, simply because he looks great on the half turn. Rooney has one of the most broad skillsets of any forward in the history of football. He's actually miles clear as far as "football intelligence", but people don't think that because he looks like shrek. So is Saka, but he's a black winger, so people who don't watch him play pretend he's a pace merchant. Kill the idea you have of a player in your head based off aesthetics and actually follow their actions for 90 minutes 50 times a season.

[@Alexander-km5ut]

I think the media and general public are even easier on Grealish. 100million player who barely features? Surely should be playing elsewhere, a level below.

[@um931]

Media letting him off the hook big time

[@lewisblackwiththenicehair]

People thought Pep was crafting Foden into the next Messi, and its time to wake up to the fact he's basically Pedro

[@yichengyi]

I feel like Pep's capacity to create a press or counter press has been limited by how he's used Haaland. If Haaland converts on one of every three touches, the system works. But Haaland isn't great about creating his own goal opportunities, and for the last eight matches, he doesn't even seem to be in the right spaces. There's definitely something going on that we're not seeing. As a Liverpool fan, I was initially gloating, but now I'm just trying to figure out Pep's psychological state.

[@spencersanderson1894]

Id argue Fodens decline is due to him being at city. When he first burst onto the scene he was running at players, he was unpredictable and would always look at creating something. Now he just looks for passes and not much else, he doesn’t run at people, his touches and technique are now very predictable. All the good traits in him have been worked out by Pep and he is now just a robot footballer who can only play well when the whole team is doing well.

[@jayko3883]

He needs the team to work for him to perform

[@BiggestBirdonMars]

Everyone in comments lieing about foden and his ability and his contribution to city Some even saying pep didnt let him express himself People like lieing about city and its institution its crazy😂😂😂

[@JPzizou]

He's been a ghost since the euros. If the team isnt set up close to its full capacity he doesn't turn up when things are down in the dumps

[@dhoom-z7221]

If he isn't english he would already be the next antony

[@Wilm-u1q]

Saw this coming 5 years ago. When this kid was a teenager- just breaking into the senior team - City fans were plastering images of him all over social media with premier league medals and saying he's already surpassed Gerrard's PL legacy - blah blah. all of that when he had contributed exactly NOTHING to those trophies. He was just a passenger in a very good side. 2 years ago, they started to do with same thing with Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb. All 3 of them are massively overrated, one-dimensional footballers with just enough technique to help them get by when playing with much better footballers.(exactly the type that the English fans and media like to call world class)

[@jonathancampbell9133]

Not sure Bobb's overrated, but Lewis is such an average player. Not physical enough to be a defender, simply not good enough to be a midfielder... the hype around that kid is insane. Foden's overrated too, but at least he is a good player - no idea what's happened to him this season though.

[@OserojiemenKing]

Absolutely. Even the way they're speaking about him in this video I'm wondering if it's the same (one dimensional system) player I watch they're talking about.

[@DoFi12]

@Osero English media have done a job on the public. “One of the Best English talents I’ve seen” is an absolutely INSANE statement.

[@Wilm-u1q]

​@@DoFi12 WILD!!!

[@goodwillmanamela1280]

Bobb is not overrated. Watch the space

[@Prime1Wunna]

Fodens talent clashes a little bit with pep’s philosophy, as well as England rarely having his kind of profile as a nation. He’s stuck in a limbo and he works when obviously peps system and city players can overpower most teams. With England it doesn’t work because if the opposite situation. The system doesn’t work and England still can’t overpower the other nations

[@francoislepatriote3790]

Foden does not deserve the title of best player of PL 2023/24, it is Rodri who deserves it... He is the one who balances Manchester City, makes them less vulnerable defensively by cutting off opposing counter-attacks, he is the first offensive launch pad for his team, he is the first creator of the game with De Bruyne, he is the one who has the technical quality, the physical chest to resist the pressure. I've admired Foden for a long time, but I'm sure if Manchester City sell him, Manchester City will continue to have success... Whereas if you take Rodri away from them, Manchester City will collapse like a house of cards.

[@watsonakanowt]

No doubt he was the best player in the league last year, after a pretty disasterous England campaign and being out of position / feeling overshadowed by bellingham, you could fully see his head drop. Having small injuries and illnesses like bronchitis have let that feeling fester and his descision making isn't right when he's come on, always trying a bit too hard. Pep needs to treat him like Grealish, give him time and he'll get back to it.

[@AsyaValentine]

So what is it that makes football the best player England produced since Rooney? Astonishing claim

[@DamianKnox11]

Comparing Foden to Ronney. OMG, whats wrong with there guys.

[@whiteace_t.k.o8060]

For me it has to be Jack Grealish he has seen better days the system has mortified him the most he used to be an exciting winger who gets at players dribbles takes shots outside the box inside near post far post. Now he’s a system player who drags out defenders and passes the ball and Doku joins the team he’s allowed to get at players dribble lose the ball but Grealish the better player isn’t allowed to. Pep washes/waters his players when they join City makes u a machine but at the cost of your soul and flare.

[@JevonGreen_]

how soon they forget

[@ChristianLopez-rt2vd]

What a load of rubbish. He's played so many games, players get tired. Also he played for England under one of the worst managers, he wasn't the only player who looked bad.

[@matthewdale2142]

It feels like foden is always at the wrong place at the wrong time

[@DamianKnox11]

Build the team around him ,lol

[@KailamiMwiinga]

Saka & Palmer of clear of Foden. Foden peaked early and it's downhill from here

[@jonnyvelocity]

Foden's instincts have been coached out of him. He's beeing shackled by the Pep system and he's always second-guessing himself.

[@BlackThoughtTheOverLord]

Firstly the whole Saka vs Foden drummed by fans was bull$hit. It was a completely unnecessary and dumb debate as both players play in different positions. Basically I tend to like James Allcot videos but this videos seems like it wants to make excuses for his bad performances over the course of months. I mean look if the man (Foden) can't take criticism levelled against and has to post on Instagram what he has won, then clearly he is a snowflake. I wonder if the pigmentation of skin was different what the conversation about Foden be like. Just wondering 🤔

[@teemedias1470]

I think foden is on restarting mode in his career.

[@clayton7658]

if foden left man city and became the main man in another team he would perform at the level as saka

[@Baasta]

Nah he would be a flop so don’t compare to saka

[@gr3saeyend]

“perform at the same level as saka” bro hes clear. 😭 literally won poty

[@LiverpoolfanINchina]

He posted pics of him with all hai trophy , that’s when you something up

[@lastjedi6985]

Y’all remember they started to call him ‘Philip Walter Foden’ 😂🤣

[@Emperor-Inker]

Foden has been terrible since the club season ened last season besides that nothing else needs to be questioned

[@jamiesheehan6277]

He's a good, but massively overrated inside forward being misprofiled as a 10, it's that simple really.

[@BlueAmerican26]

If the system is out of form and doesnt work then foden is useless. He is a system player. He can't make shit happen unless it's by peps devise.

[@lemmingsftw2480]

he's a flat track bully, when everything is set up and the system is working to give him space he has the technical ability to make good plays and perform but when you need someone to grab a game and create things off their own back he doesn't have the ability to do so, i think his football iq is significantly lower than players like grealish, palmer or maddison, foden just doesn't seem to understand how to adapt when the game plan doesn't work and doesn't have any specific style of play that he can fall back on if that is the case either so when the game is messy he just looks lost and plays extremely safe to the point he becomes almost completely useless he can't dictate the tempo of a team, he doesn't dribble a team up the pitch consistently, his passing from central positions is usually poor. it does not surprise me at all that pep has been very averse to using foden deeper as a 10 or 8 as the only place he seems effective on the pitch is in and around the opposition penalty area, he just isnt the type of player that you want to be on the ball more than anyone else when you have players like grealish that are far better in that way, foden just isn't very good at that and the euros highlighted that, he looked completely lost

[@Irishatheist24]

He just needs a proper haircut

[@dark_memer42]

Mason Greenwood is better than Phil Foden. It's all well and good having the skills ala Rashford but it's consistency what makes a top player.

[@bamba_boy]

If you guys defended England as much as you lot are defending Foden you would not have required American help to win WW II 😅

[@NI-ld2iu]

The latest Great White Hope peddled by the English media that, shock, horror, isn't that great. A cowardly system player, is our Foden. Even Rice isn't the unicorn DM that he was hyped out to be. Still needs his hands held by Partey/Jorginho in deep possession.

[@Baasta]

Nah Rice performs for Arsenal.

[@NI-ld2iu]

@@Baasta But he isn't a top side no.6. As a 8, he does a solid job but £100m ceiling raiser and unicorn? Not for me. He is simply not very good on the ball in deep areas. Partey is a superior 6.

[@lexxihd5843]

@@NI-ld2iu It was pretty obvious that he isnt a deep build up player. And Arteta never wanted him that way anyway.

[@andreicossack5679]

@@NI-ld2iuhe is worlds better than partey defensively. The 6 is a defensive position first and nobody in football is better than rice in that position .

[@NI-ld2iu]

@@andreicossack5679 Yeh.....no, Rodri exists and he is good as him defensively and sh1ts on him on the ball.

[@NkosanaMakhubele]

He's just overrated and now he's embarrassing himself posting his achievements on social media like that's going to change everything that you're struggling

[@kenahabtamu3580]

Foden was never that good his hype was too overblown

[@iLYK2PWN]

Foden is getting massively overrated tbh. Theres way more than just Rooney that were as talented as him. Rooney, Lampard, Kane, Ashley Cole. Beckham and Owen came 1st and 2nd in Balon dor's.

[@WaniZame]

He’s the most overrated player of all time. Worst player of the year since Scott Parker.

[@lebinmhd]

On his day Phil foden clears all the other starboys. He’ll be the next English player to win a balondor

[@isaacnewton3514]

Foden is as good as Pedri or Gavi BUT he can ONLY operate in a Spanish style of Football. In England, he’s useless

[@Salvations96]

I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but there are personal reasons behind the scenes. I don't feel comfortable sharing the details, though; it's not my place.

[@TOYSoldier113]

Once again proof that Saka has to work twice as hard for equal praise, if Saka and Foden had the other’s start of the season the praise on Foden would be x2 and the criticism and talk around Saka having 0 g 1 a in December would be x1000. James needs to go and see City’s record last season without Foden and their record without Rodri and realize who was the true POTY. Foden has/is never a player you build around, or dictates a teams game. He’s a final action player, the semifinal half he had was good cause he hit the crossbar from 25 yards and had a 1v1 cleared off the line not because he dictated play. There’s a reason he and Haaland can’t coexist, or at least they don’t have inform runs at the same time, it’s cause only one of them can finish an action built by Rodri or KDB. When City lose he’s the 4th 5th player to get blamed, and other players you mentioned in this vid are 1st. These players were forged in fire and responsibility, Foden rode the City train all his career until now Euros + Rodri injury when he has to step up and he has failed to do so.

[@docharry999]

foden is so overrated

[@lelandcarpenter8181]

Foden should be at a mid table club.

[@TetasGunners]

Thought I was watching yung lean get interviewed for a sec