da supremo： Phil Foden “is the Player of the Season”, according to Pep Guardiola, with the Manchester City star putting on a derby masterclass against United.

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Personal-best goal returnConsidered to be world-classIn line for prestigious awardsWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international has been in sensational form for City in the 2023-24 campaign, with a personal-best goal return taken to 18 and counting. Foden hit that mark after bagging a brace in a 3-1 victory over United – with his first of that game, which cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s spectacular opener, crashed into the top corner from 20 yards out.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

Guardiola believes Foden should sweep the board when individual prizes are handed out, with the Catalan coach telling of his 23-year-old playmaker: “He is the player of the season, with all the respect for incredible players but no-one has been so decisive for us as him this season.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Guardiola added on Foden becoming “world-class”, with City bringing the best out of a home-grown star that has already made over 250 appearances for the club: “Winning games is when you become a world class player. Everyone play good but you have to win games, and he wins games. What can I say? He loves football. He lives to play. There are people who like to play. He loves to play football. He will already be a legendary player because in a short age, the games played, the minutes, the goals scored, the titles won and he is from the home and that is why the connection with the fans is unbelievable.”

WHAT NEXT FOR FODEN?

While Foden has become a talismanic presence for City, it remains to be seen where he fits into Gareth Southgate’s England plans. He is often asked to fill a wide attacking role for the Three Lions, but has shown that he can thrive in a central No.10 berth.