Ben Guest
Real Madrid are reportedly ‘growing in belief’ that they could lure Phil Foden away from Manchester City next summer.
Foden has been one of the brightest talents to emerge from the Man City academy in a number of years, though has found opportunities somewhat hard to come by given the midfield depth available to Pep Guardiola.
It was hoped that the departure of club legend David Silva in the summer would afford Stockport born midfielder more opportunities this season, though so far, he has only been afforded five starts in the opening 14 Premier League games, coming off the bench a further five times, including in the 91st minute of the 2-0 Boxing Day win over Newcastle.
According to the Sunday Mirror, his ‘frustration at his lack of first-team starts is beginning to grow’, with his recent exclusion from the game against Manchester United – an uninspiring 0-0 draw – was a particular point of ‘angst’ for Foden.
The report claims that such frustration is providing Spanish champions Real Madrid with ‘encouragement’ that they could lure Foden away from his boyhood club, with the La Liga side having watched the England international ‘for a number of years’.
Semi Finals!!!! pic.twitter.com/B27KR6JiTW
— Phil Foden (@PhilFoden) December 22, 2020
The 13 time European champions are on the lookout for ‘best young talent on the planet’ and could try to take ‘advantage’ of his frustrations with an approach in the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola has consistently talked up the potential of the 20-year-old, though recently urged him to ‘slow down’ and have more ‘patience’ in the final third in order to take his game to the next level.
“He has incredible energy for a guy of 19, 20 years old but [in] still the final decision, the final pass, he has to slow down a little bit,” said the City boss following the 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Arsenal, with Foden having picked up a goal and an assist.
“He wants to win the world, he wants to eat the world and he wants to be important. That’s normal, but he needs experience to be more calm.
“He plays football in the same rhythm and football must be played in different rhythms. Sometimes you have to walk, sometimes you have to have rhythm, sometimes you have to change the rhythm.
“He has to understand this but that [comes with] experience, not advice.
“It’s not easy for a young player like him in this club, playing important games, and with the national team, but it’s a normal process for all young players.
“In the final third, especially in the box, the top players they have patience, they have this second or half-second of time to take a decision. We have to improve on this and we will work on that.”
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