Phil Foden is currently the best player in the Premier League, believes former Manchester City defender Micah Richards.
Foden has enjoyed a stunning run of form in recent weeks, culminating in a crucial brace in City’s 3-1 derby win over Manchester United on Sunday, a result which kept them within one point of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Foden has six goals and one assist in his last seven league games, including a hat-trick against Brentford and the only goal in a nervy 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
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The England international has been tipped to compete for the Premier League’s Player of the Season award after taking up a talismanic role in Pep Guardiola’s team, and Richards believes that honour would be deserved.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Richards said the way in which Foden has continued to star despite Kevin De Bruyne’s return from injury has helped his case.
“The way Foden has been able to drag his team through important moments recently has been down to his maturity,” Richards said.
Trailing in the Manchester derby?
Step up, Phil Foden 😮💨pic.twitter.com/Hj8unguV4J
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 4, 2024
“The biggest compliment I can give to Foden is that De Bruyne was out for a while and everyone said City would not be the same without him. Foden has stepped up and played amazingly well.
“The question was about how he would respond when De Bruyne came back.
“De Bruyne is number one, the best midfielder in the world, and it always seemed to me that Foden was playing within himself when De Bruyne was in the team.
“But, as soon as De Bruyne has been back, Foden has not dropped his standard. He has said: ‘I’m the main man in this team.’
“He has had a run of games and he is delivering. He’s playing the best in the Premier League right now.”
Foden has 18 total goal involvements in 27 Premier League games this term (11 goals, seven assists), a tally only bettered by Ollie Watkins (26), Mohamed Salah (24), Erling Haaland (23), Bukayo Saka (21) and Son Heung-min (19).
The most touches Phil Foden has had in a Premier League match 👏
📊 @Oracle pic.twitter.com/BByNgGr5gf
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 3, 2024
