Phil Foden insists he is willing to be ‘patient’ for opportunities in Man City’s first-team, with Pep Guardiola offering the youngster an apology for his lack of game time.
The 19-year-old came on as an 84th minute substitute in Man City‘s 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night, but didn’t take long to make an impression, finding the net in the fifth minute of added time to secure victory for the English champions.
The youngster has been restricted to just 10 minutes of Premier League football so far this season, and despite admitting he is “itching” to get on the field, he added that he is willing to bide his time for an opportunity.
“I am always itching to play,” Foden said. “But if you look at the players ahead of me it is quite difficult.
Says all you need to know ???????????? pic.twitter.com/zEmwdggfdY
— Phil Foden (@PhilFoden) October 1, 2019
“I just think it is all about being patient and wanting to improve every day and waiting for the opportunity. Here I was happy to make the most of it.”
Pep Guardiola has established an enviable wealth of midfield riches, with established international stars ahead of Foden in the pecking order, forcing the Spaniard to offer an apology to the Stockport born midfielder.
“He deserves to play. I want to give him minutes. Every time I don’t play him, I am in front of him saying I’m sorry.
“But it’s Kevin De Bruyne there, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Gundogan, I’m so sorry. I know the best way to grow up is to play minutes, but he’s so young.
“I don’t know how many players that age have played more minutes in the recent past, the minutes he has played the last season with us, but he’s going to be an incredible player for us in the future. We trust in him a lot. But it is what it is.”
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