Tag Archives: phil foden

Man City needs Pep to achieve these 2 essential things this season

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Man City was paving their way to success before Pep Guardiola sent his CV to the Etihad. Ever since their success has been astronomical. However, there are two things missing that he has to achieve this season…

Pep Guardiola has concocted a squad filled to the brim with the highest quality of players in European football. They have a stunning training complex in Manchester, a domestic quadruple under their belt and a clear structure from top to bottom.

Almost sounds like the opposite of Man Utd right?

But there are 2 things that their neighbours in Red have achieved throughout their history, that Man City need to match to be considered one of Europe’s biggest clubs…

Champions League

Guardiola has failed to get any real momentum in the Champions League for Man City. Despite mass amounts of success in England.

With the quality of their squad and the resources and funds put into it, Guardiola must do this justice with a Champions League trophy. Or, at least, a fantastic Champions League final for the fans to enjoy.

Man City have clearly mastered English football, with only Liverpool looking like chasing them down.

Next step… Europe!

Youth Academy

Man City’s squad majors in getting talent from other European clubs, at a fairly high price. Man Utd, on the other hand, has always had a tendency to either produce their own talent or purchase promising young players from other clubs. Something new manager Solskjaer is re-initiating.

Man City, for the sake of their development and world-status, must begin to follow suit. Glimpses of this is being seen with the likes of Phil Foden and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Nevertheless, having a flowing system of the academy to first-team could see Man City rule European football for the foreseeable future.

Man City should best consider selling these 2 in January

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Guardiola is fortunate enough to have one of the best squads in European football. To such an extent, that it could be time to let some of their brilliant players walk out of the door…

Manchester City has to make way for some of the young talents they have coming through. Losing the likes of Leroy Sane, Phil Foden and promising academy prospects to big European clubs can only slow down their progression.

With this in mind, here are two players that Guardiola could lose without harming the squad. As there are replacements who would benefit from their game time…

Ilkay Gundogan

Gundogan, 28, recently signed a contract which will take him to 2023 at the Etihad. However, should Guardiola opt against loaning out Phil Foden, the only respectable alternative is to give the youngster first-team football?

Despite Gundogan being a fantastic option as a rotational midfielder, he could be stealing game time away from the Man City youth talent.

Although David Silva is in his final season with Man City, it is probable that the Citizens will replace the Spaniard superstar with a like-for-like talent from a top European club.

Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez, 28, will turn 29 upon the return of the injured Leroy Sane. Who is considering a move to Germany due to a lack of a starting eleven football.

After coming from Leicester, Mahrez himself hasn’t seen an awful lot of game time. And at his age, he could be looking at a move away to ensure a lot of football in the final five years of his career at full fitness.

This would benefit Sane with more game time, ultimately benefiting Man City by having a happy and content world-class winger.

2 reasons why sending Man City’s Foden out on loan is a fantastic idea

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Pep Guardiola described 19-year-old Phil Foden as ‘the most talented player’ that the Man City boss had ever worked with. But he isn’t getting too much game time at the Etihad…

Ex- Liverpool, Real Madrid and Man Utd man Michael Owen has come out and said that Phil Foden should be sent on loan to get more game time under his belt.

Owen has been in Foden’s position of being one of the most highly regarded youngsters in world football. He said that it isn’t common for players to reach high standards without going out and getting that experience. “Look at the England team, there are hardly any players who go straight through. You have Marcus Rashford but apart from that there are few who don’t go and get experience”.

If Foden’s magnificent display in the recent 2-0 win for England U21’s over Kosovo, where the midfielder scored both goals isn’t enough for him to get onto the team sheet. Then here are two reasons why the youngster needs to be sent out on loan…

Season-ready

Guardiola’s Man City looks very different without one key ingredient; David Silva. He famously features in almost every single game for the Blues. By the way the manager speaks about Foden, it is highly likely that he sees him as the replacement for David Silva. A majestic midfielder who will embody the talent and quality of the entire Man City squad, featuring in every game.

To ready him for this, a season or two in a tough and competitive league such as the Championship would make his transition into first-team football a lot smoother and potentially a lot sooner.

Confidence

Although Foden is blessed with the ability to train with some of the country’s top football talents, the young midfielder will be in the shadow of his teammates. Out on loan, Foden can get a taste for being a first-team fan favourite where his team rely on him for creativity and big performances.

Giving him this hard-working and man of the match mentally will certainly benefit his game upon a return to the Etihad.

2 players that must impress in the international break for Man City

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Man City is lacking in English talent as only Raheem Sterling is called up for national duty with England.

Fortunately for them, they have worldwide talent in abundance. With the Euro 2020 qualifiers underway, these two European players need to impress on national duty to remain in favour with Pep Guardiola.

Pep Guardiola is blessed with a squad of great depth and quality. This means that the players themselves have to stay on top of their game to remain in the title-contending squad.

International breaks are often a cause for concern for managers, as they fear injuries. But on the flip-side, ensuring that they are training and performing well before returning to their club is vital to the player’s mental and physical well being.

With that in mind, these two Man City players much impress during the International break for their home countries in order to prove themselves to Guardiola upon their return…

Ilkay Gundogan

Gundogan is favoured behind David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and to some extent; Phil Foden.

After recently signing a four-year deal, the German international must compete for game time or be constrained to the bench and inevitably waste away or move away to a lower-tier club.

Should the midfielder have a big impact on Germany’s fixtures, Guardiola could have his hand forced in favouring the experienced International over Phil Foden should an opportunity occur for one of them to get game time.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Zinchenko has been the favoured left-back for Guardiola of late. With a severe knee injury to Benjamin Mendy, Oleksandr Zinchenko made his way into the starting eleven and has had a positive impact.

However, Mendy’s return is likely to be this season. Also, Man City recently acquired 22-year-old left-back Angelino, who will be fighting for his spot.

Should Zinchenko make his mark on the Ukraine squad, Guardiola could start to consider him more of a seasoned professional who can perform at high levels. His goal will be to remain in the starting eleven upon Mendy’s return, and a great performance for his country can do nothing to harm his chances.

Pep has to make this one midfield change today against Brighton, agreed?

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Man City will be looking for a big home victory against Brighton to keep them in contention for their third Premier League title in a row…

Although Man City are expected to win comfortably, Brighton has had a confident start to the season. The Southerners have gained 4 points out of a possible 9. Dropping 3 points away against Southampton after going down to ten men after thirty minutes could be considered an unfair reflection. They have looked like a contending side in each fixture so far.

Brighton will set up in a defensive manner. They are going to be seeking the odd opportunity to counter-attack. However, with Rodri sitting in front of a back four consisting of Kyle Walker and Aymeric Laporte, their chances will be difficult to take.

Unlike their neighbours at Old Trafford, Man City have the quality to break down defensive sides. The likes of Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and David Silva are more than capable of breaking this side down.

In the one game where David Silva was absent, the Citizens drew to Spurs at the Etihad. The Spaniard is in his last season with Man City after ten years with the club, and that is exactly why he should be left out of this game…

Why should David Silva miss this fixture?

In the past ten years, David Silva has been pivotal to the success of Man City. The Blues have been brilliant at preparing for the future in their recent history, and should prepare for losing David Silva.

Phil Foden, who Guardiola claimed was the best talent he’s ever worked with, should be featuring much more often. His technical ability makes his almost a like-for-like replacement with the Spanish midfielder and wouldn’t hinder their chances of slotting three or four goals past the Brighton goalkeeper.

2 exciting Man City prospects that you simply need to keep tabs on, could be worth big money

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Manchester City has the greatest quality and depth of any side in the Premier League. Even the youngsters are being hailed as future superstars, including two in particular…

Since 2008, Man City have been meticulously planning for the future. Now, in 2019, we’ve seen it paid off.

However, Man City have been purchasing players left, right and centre and have had many a different eleven for the fans to connect with.

This is begging to become less prevalent as Man City spend less and supply their own talent more often.

Jadon Sancho was one who was part of the Man City academy before moving to Germany’s Borussia Dortmund and being hailed a £100million player.

The Football Manc Cave introduces two prolific youngsters that will get Man City tonnes of trophies, cash, or both.

Phil Foden

Foden has been constantly praised by Pep Guardiola and has been referred to as the most talented player the Spanish manager has ever worked with.

Foden is a product of Man City’s youth. Is Guardiola overexaggerating the production of his academy or is Phil Foden going to be the greatest midfield the world has ever seen?

It is yet to be discovered. But the youngster has this season to seal a starting eleven spot as David Silva moves on in less than a year’s time.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

The 22-year-old full-back joined Man City in 2016 for a fee or around £1million.

This may be one of the smartest deals ever made by the club, as the Ukrainian is now seen at left-back on a weekly basis.

Quick, attacking, young full-backs fetch a sweet penny. Should the youngster’s form continue, he could be looking at a big £60million move to a European club in years to come.

The Man City B team that would win the Premier League – Agree?

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The distance between Man City and the rest of the league only grows larger after seeing this…

To be a part of Guardiola’s Man City, you must be talented and determined. But it still comes as a surprise that the once underdogs of the league have a B team that could still best the rest.

The Telegraph reported that Mourinho told Sky Sports: “Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Man City B team. When I looked at the bench [against West Ham], the players not involved, I think the [City] B team could fight for the title.”

It is evident that Man City and Liverpool are the only teams who can fight for the title this season. Perhaps Spurs could sneak in there, but even as the third-best team in the league, they are a longshot from the top.

This leaves Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd lost below 3rd place in the Premier League. Meaning that Man City’s B team beats all three of these English giants hands-down.

The Football Manc Cave bring you Man City’s B team that could challenge for the Premier League title this season…

Attack

Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are interchangeable at number nine. However, with the Argentine reaching 34 years of age, Guardiola appears to be making room for the 22-year-old Brazilian. This leaves one of the Premier League’s greatest ever strikers to come on off the bench. Sane has been favoured less than Sterling and Bernardo Silva and has suffered a crucial injury that puts him out for half the season. Whilst this talented winger has what it takes to start, he is definitely in Pep’s B side.

Midfield

In the midfield we have Phil Foden, “Phil is the most, most, most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager” is what Guardiola said about the youngster. Making anything I have to add fairly irrelevant. Next to him would be the Brazilian brick wall Fernandinho and newly contracted Ilkay Gundogan, who the Blues clearly have faith in to impact the side off the bench.

Defence

In net is Bravo, who is a trusted second keeper behind Ederson, given faith to pull through in the Community Shield victory against Liverpool.

Otamendi and Mangala are favoured much less than Stones and Laporte. But this partnership has defensive experience and physicality, competent enough to see a side to many victories.

Right-back would be Kyle Walker, who has proven his quality time and time again for Man City. However, the incoming Joao Cancelo is likely to take the Englishman place. This gives Guardiola a B team right-back who is already proven as a champion.

Left-back could be Man City’s weakness in Angelino. But the promising youngster surrounded by sheer talent and quality could see his ability and confidence grow, as his team pull him throughout the stretch of the season.

Man City’s transfer window: how did Guardiola do?

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Whoever thought this Man City squad couldn’t get any better were proved wrong this summer in the transfer window.

Manchester City has come off the back of a season that saw multiple avenues of success. Winning four out of four domestic trophies. Guardiola’s only weakness was European success with Man City.

Many would assume that given a second crack, the Man City squad of last season are good enough to reach the Champions League final. However, with the transfers made this summer, they could go much further in Europe.

Guardiola’s squad had arguably only two weaknesses, right-back and central-defensive midfield. With Kyle Walker losing a yard of pace but becoming more defensively experienced, he is being favoured at centre-back. Fernandinho was relied on as the rock of the defensive midfield. However, at 34 years of age with no competition for his spot, there was cause for concern.

To patch up the holes in his squad, Guardiola in typical Man City fashion has brought in two of Europe’s most elite footballers. Here are the three major factors of City’s transfer window that put the club in good stead for the future…

Joao Cancelo

Joao Cancelo is Man City’s new right-back. The 25-year-old was a starter in a very successful Juventus side, as well as winning UEFA Nations League with Portugal. Guardiola has brought in an exciting talent who knows what it takes to win.

Rodri

A slightly different character was brought in to replace Fernandinho. Rodri was bought from Atletico Madrid for £62million and has been in favour since proving his talent in pre-season. Rodri is a player, unlike Cancelo, who was not a ‘top dog’ in his previous league. However, bringing in a mix of champions and those who seek that title, will keep a healthy and hungry balance within the squad.

Living in the present and future, not the past

Young players such as Philippe Sandler have been given loan opportunities, demonstrating their hunger to provide a solid future for the club. Players who are deemed surplus to requirements such as Fabian Delph, Danilo and Douglas Luiz have been offloaded from the squad. This allows the likes of Phil Foden and Oleksandr Zinchenko to make more game time this season.

The Blues have gotten off to a good start this season by winning the Community Shield. And with the fantastic and intelligent transfer business in this window, it may be the start of their collection of trophies this season.

One to watch: Man City snap up 14y/o ahead of Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal

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Man City’s academy has another fantastic talent in their academy after signing Kane Taylor.

Manchester City beat Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League. Now they have beaten them in the race to sign one of the best teenage talents in the country.

According to the Telegraph, 14-year-old Kane Taylor ‘de-registered at Villa last season meaning that he was available for £129,000 compensation under the Elite Player Performance Plan tariffs‘.

Man City have been clever about the signing, as waiting for him to turn of age would result in having to pay a significantly higher fee.

The 14-year-old left-footed midfielder impressed clubs in the Premier League whilst playing for Aston Villa,

Man City have been signing young talents to join their academy since 2008. Darko Gyabi and Daniel Ogwuru are examples of how the club has been adding to their academy from other clubs for the past 11 years.

Why is Man City the best place for Kane Taylor?

Kane Taylor will succeed in one of Europe’s greatest academy’s that have played a part in producing the likes of Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, even Ryan Giggs.

The Citizens are clearly planning for the future, as we could see Taylor be slowly integrated into the squad in four or five years time. This was the case with Phil Foden, who is now one of England’s most exciting talents.

The likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva coming toward the end of the best part of their career. It’s important for the Blues to bring through their young talent. Perhaps the days of big spending is over, and Man City are beginning to replicate the formula that Man Utd once had. Producing your own talent and being successful.

Being snapped up by Man City means that this boy has some serious talent. He will most certainly be a name we see introduced into the squad in the years to come.

Two reasons why Man City’s renewal of midfielder is a bad move

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Ilkay Gundogan will stay at Man City until 2022 after agreeing to terms with the club. Why is this a bad move for Man City?

The 28-year-old German midfielder was Pep Guardiola’s first signing for the club. In summer of 2016, he signed from Dortmund for around £24million.

Although the midfielder is a quality talent, he has never provided much towards Manchester City’s success. After the arrival for Kevin De Bruyne in particular, the German is not prolific enough to be a regular starter.

Despite understanding Guardiola’s methods, after three years under his reign, here are two reasons Gundogan should have been let go by Man City…

Surplus to requirements

Manchester City has the best midfield three in England, possibly in Europe. With David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri all looking to be the starting three of the upcoming campaign. For depth, the Citizens have Fernandinho, who is still in contention for starting football, and Phil Foden who will feature heavily this season and the seasons to come. It is difficult to understand where Gundogan fits in this hierarchy. He could be taking game time away from upcoming prospects.

Same old?

Gundogan was Pep’s first signing when he arrived at the Etihad. The German may symbolise the style of play that Man City have adopted since his arrival. This is cause for concern as it is imperative for champions to adapt their style over the seasons to keep opponents on their toes. This contract renewal may symbolise the stubbornness and rigidity of Guardiola’s style, indicating to challengers that they can expect to see the same Man City this season. This could allow teams to figure them out a lot easier and prevent dropping the same amount of points against the Blues this season.

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