Towards the end of last season, Pep Guardiola was giving serious consideration to allowing Phil Foden the chance to fly in the middle of midfield. The role he was born to play.
It is where he grew up, before being converted into a winger as a teenager while nailing down a spot in this team. Foden performed on both flanks but someone of this generational quality deserves to be at the centre of the action.
A matter of time. Foden knew that, Guardiola telling him to learn what it takes to become a midfielder in one of his sides – specifically when to force issues, when to slow down - and the signs are that now is the moment he plays more regularly in the position that can benefit him, his club and the country.