Man City vs Cardiff: 'Exceptional' Phil Foden can do 'everything' says Pep Guardiola
The teenager made his first Premier League start in Wednesday's 2-0 win
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pep Guardiola backed Phil Foden to be a Manchester City star for the next decade after the teenager made his first Premier League start in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Cardiff.
Though Foden could not join Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane on the score-sheet he forced a couple of saves out of Neil Etheridge in the second half and saw one close-range shot strike the post.
Guardiola has seemed reluctant to lean on the 18-year-old too much in City's pursuit of an unprecedented quadruple, but the night's showing suggested he is ready to feature more.
"Phil, we know it, he's young but he can do everything," Guardiola said. "He can create chances, he's incredible with his vision. We can count on them and that's good.
"Every day he is in the locker room, he is part of the group and we trust him.
"I'm happy with the way he plays. He's at a good level. He could have scored two goals, he's exceptional."
While other highly-rated teenagers have looked abroad for first-team opportunities, Foden signed a new City deal until 2024 in December and Guardiola said he would get his rewards in the long run.
"It's not easy for him with (David) Silva, Bernardo (Silva), (Ilkay) Gundogan, De Bruyne, but he wants to be here, he's delighted to be here," he said.
"I assure you next year he will play more minutes. That's the process. He's 18 or 19. For the next decade he will be important."
Victory sent City back to the top of the table and they were ahead inside six minutes through De Bruyne, though the Belgian admitted after the match his shot from a tight angle on the touchline was intended as a cross.
Sane doubled the lead just before the break with a low shot following a corner, and Cardiff rarely looked like getting back into it until a couple of late chances, the best of them seeing Ederson race off his line to deny Oumar Niasse.
It was another composed performance from City, despite Guardiola making seven changes from the side that beat Fulham on Saturday.
"These players have helped us, they are not guys who did not play for two months and are not happy," Guardiola said of those that came in.
"We have a good squad and without it we cannot fight for the four competitions.
"It's impossible. We are here in April because we have confidence in the players."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments