Pep Guardiola has backed Phil Foden to become a Manchester City great and says the striker can help England become European champions this summer as long as Southgate’s side believe they can win the World Cup.
Foden was named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year on Friday in recognition of his best season of his career, scoring 24 goals and providing 10 assists for Manchester City. The 23-year-old has won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup. Guardiola was asked if Foden could become Manchester City’s greatest ever player.
“I don’t know – this club has a long, long history,” the manager said. “So you can’t forget what happened to the players who played at Maine Road, as we all know. If he continues his career until the end here [the same] There is no doubt that he can be one of the best players.
England are one of the favorites to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany and Guardiola has been asked to assess his team’s attack, with Foden among them.
“It’s really good,” he said. “But it’s not the talent up front, it’s the whole squad, Gareth knows exactly what he has to do. So I feel that way, everyone feels that way, the England national team [in] Progress was made at the last World Cup and European Championships.
“I see the reaction when they play the Euros or the World Cup – people go crazy in the streets and I love that. They go crazy for the national team; it shows how proud they are. As a footballer, it’s the best .
If England believe in their quality, Guardiola is sure they will win the game, comparing it to Manchester City’s Champions League victory last season.
He said: “They were right on the edge, they were really close; lost the final, got to the semi-finals. When you get to these stages every two years it happens. It’s very similar to us: we were close, Ultimately we lift it. If they believe it, they can do it.
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Manchester City host Wolves on Saturday knowing they will win a record fourth consecutive title if they win their last four games. Guardiola said he would still love his players even if they lost all four players.
“We could lose all four games and that means I don’t trust my players? No way. I see them, I see them and I still feel what they are doing. No chance anymore [of not trusting them]. Wins and losses don’t change my opinion of what they’ve done this season. I love them very much.
