When a baby-faced lad from Stockport made his Manchester City debut in 2017, Pep Guardiola gushed with excitement. ‘It’s been a long time since I saw something like this,’ he said. ‘Phil Foden is on another level.’
It was unique praise from a man who played in Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team and went on to coach Lionel Messi and a side of superstars in Barcelona. But it came to mind on Saturday as Foden brought up a double-century of City appearances.
It’s easy to forget Foden is 22. And his 200th City outing comes at what some might see as a crossroads in his club career having fallen out of favour with Guardiola of late.