Manchester City have improved enormously under Pep Guardiola, especially over the past couple of years. However, due to so much spending in the transfer market, the Premier League champions have lagged in terms of youth development.
Jadon Sancho, in particular, left the Etihad Stadium in 2017 in search of more first-team action. And another player who is struggling with the same dilemma is Phil Foden. The youngster appeared as a late sub in the win over Dinamo Zagreb. But, he should follow the footsteps of Sancho and leave Manchester City in the upcoming January transfer window.
Foden’s spell at Manchester City
It is important to evaluate how Manchester City have treated Foden thus far. A product of the club’s youth academy, the midfielder has been described by Guardiola as the most talented player he had ever seen. And that says a lot considering the calibre of players he has managed throughout his managerial career.
However, the Catalan mastermind has done very little to back his statement up by giving Foden some first-team opportunities. Since being promoted to the senior side in 2017, Foden has earned only three starts in the Premier League.
It is a sad reading that is entirely unacceptable for a player, who is touted as one of the most talented players in Europe.
Does Foden have any future at Manchester City?
The fact that David Silva will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season does offer hope for Foden. But if anything, it will only allow Ilkay Gundogan to play a more prominent role in the starting eleven. The German international has been doing well throughout this calendar year and will likely become a first-team regular when Silva leaves.
On the flanks, Leroy Sane will most likely leave, but it will pave the way for Guardiola to invest in yet another attacker. That means Foden might once again have to settle being a benchwarmer.
Where should Foden leave?
As iterated earlier, Foden could follow the footsteps of Sancho and move to Bundesliga. The German top flight has become a breeding ground for talented young footballers. Not only that, but there has also been an influx of British talents coming into the league and making a mark.
Therefore, switching to a club like Bayer Leverkusen, FC Schalke or even RB Leipzig could turn out to be a beneficial move for the player as he looks to spark his playing career next season.
