Despite a 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers notwithstanding, Manchester City’s Premier League champions continued where they left off from their record-breaking season last year in the Premier League, but were cruised to a 2-1 defeat at home on Wednesday night at the UEFA Champions League at hands of Olympique Lyonnais.
Prior to the UCL fixture, City head into this clash on back of three straight wins against Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United, and Fulham to leave their fans chanting once again, with likes of Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy showing glimpses of great performances.
Phil Foden, an EPL winners medal holder at age 17, has find it difficult breaking into City’s first team fold since playing the club’s majority Community Shield win over Chelsea, but has only recored eight minutes of action for Manchester City in the Premier League this new season on the opening 6-1 victory over Huddersfield.
However, Guardiola admit his feels “guilty” about the young Englishman’s recent omissions in City v Huddersfield Town post-match press conference.
He said as quoted via Sky Sports:
“I feel guilty,”
Guardiola said after the match
“He deserves to play. The problem was the injury to Sergio Aguero, we didn’t want to take a risk.
“Phil Foden will play a lot of games this season – I feel it. The guys after the game were so tired, we have games, games, games, he’s going to play. I like him a lot. Every time he plays, he plays so good. He will play minutes.”
Time we reveal whether Guardiola’s words will in fact come to pass and he goes some way emulating the ten appearances Foden only registered in 2017/18, but should the youngster find himself warming the bench throughout a cold winter, it might be viable for the midfielder to push for a loan move away in the January transfer window.
In such a scenario, Football Weeks takes a look at some potential destinations the talented youngster could end up joining in January.
Leeds United
Foden to Leeds United was an heavily speculated one by City Watch, and joining the Championship giants would be ideal for the Englishman. Joining Leeds will guaranteed more playing time and tutelage under yet another talented and charismatic manager in Marcelo Bielsa with the Championship side, who are currently unbeaten atop the Championship table.
Plying his trade at the England second-tier of the Premier League with Leeds United will see his stcok rise considerably if he was part of the team that helped the Whites back up to the Premier League for the first time in 15 years.
West Ham United
The Hammers managed to secure their first win of the season last weekend against Everton, but with many fringe players the Hammers’ main problem, coupled with Jack Wilshere’s six week injury woe, Foden could be guaranteed a playing role at West Ham, and play alongside fellow young talent Declan Rice and deputizing for the ageing skipper Mark Noble. The Chilean manager should be looking to use his links with his old club.
New York City FC
Another Football club part of the Abu Dhabi United Group current gathering stars around the world would represent a sensible option for Foden, as they would provide him with much playing-time whilst he will be kept under the City Group umbrella.
As we have said above, should the youngster find himself warming the bench throughout a cold winter, it might be viable for the midfielder to push for a loan move away in the January transfer window and here are suggested options Phil Foden could end up with in January.