'He felt guilty' - Pep Guardiola identifies Phil Foden turning point as Man City's new number ten
01.01.2024 - 04:47
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Phil Foden hasn't looked back since his costly mistake against Crystal Palace - and Pep Guardiola hopes that his late error has made him realise what is needed to play at number ten for Manchester City.
Earlier in December, City were comfortable against Crystal Palace, but a late goal for the visitors had halved the deficit. In injury time, Foden lost possession, and in trying to regain the ball, made an irrational foul in the box to concede a penalty, which was converted as City dropped two needless points.
Since then, Foden has looked brilliant at number ten in the two Club World Cup games, at Everton, and at home against Sheffield United, scoring twice and registering three assists in those four games. Guardiola still wants more, however, but praised Foden for 'learning the lesson' after his Palace error.
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"I'm really pleased that Phil since after Crystal Palace, he learn the lesson," said Guardiola. "Urawa, Fluminense, Goodison Park and today he has been outstanding. All four games has been top top top class, playing good, scoring, assisting. All the important things we need of him.
"He lost the ball, decellerates the action. He's so young, he felt guilty, want to solve it, [but] gives away the penalty. It was five against one or two. We talk about it, in that position in the box, Phil is always going to score, calm. Putting the ball in the net is the most difficult thing.
"It's part of the process. At that moment he felt so bad, because he is an incredibly lovely guy. Lessons to learn, hopefully the last time