Phil Foden delivered another fine display as Man City beat Bournemouth (AFP via Getty)
Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden is now a ‘world class player’ after Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Foden delivered another impressive display and scored City’s winning goal in the first half, which puts the Premier League champions just a point behind Liverpool.
The 23-year-old has been one of City’s standout performers this season with 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions so far.
And Guardiola is adamant that the England international should be considered among the world’s best midfielders.
When asked about Foden’s display against Bournemouth, Guardiola said: ‘Forget about the goals, of course they are important, but do you know how he played?
Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden ‘can play everywhere’ (AFP via Getty)
‘How he controlled and accelerated. He has become already a top class football player.
‘From a little boy, now he has become already Phil, a world class, top player.
‘He’s so good. He can play everywhere, especially in the central position and play really, really good.’
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In a separate interview with BBC Sport, Guardiola said: ‘I am really pleased about the way we behaved. It is a tough place to come. We did really, really well.
‘John Stones was amazing. Phil Foden is playing the best football I have seen from him. Everyone made a contribution and I am really pleased.
‘They had seven days to prepare for this game but we had three. There are teams who play with less recovery than the other one in the Premier League.
‘We played fantastic game in the first half and should have scored more. In general it was unbelievable the way we defended because we needed it. When you don’t have recovery and the players are tired, you cannot expect to be perfect because they are human beings.
‘Every three days for years, not just this season, years. It is difficult but they are still winning. My admiration to all the players is unbelievable.
‘I would love to win three or four. It is what it is.’
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