Rio Ferdinand: Man City teenager is carbon copy of two Silvas

Manchester City teenager Phil Foden is like a carbon copy of David Silva and Bernardo Silva according to Rio Ferdinand.

Foden, 18, recently signed a new six-year contract with City and was a starter for the club’s Champions League group stage clash against Hoffenheim on Wednesday.

Just how good is Phil Foden? Five key things to know…

  1. Phil Foden is a product of Manchester City’s academy, making his first-team debut in November 2017.
  2. The teenager would go on to make 10 club appearances last season including three starts.
  3. Foden has already better that tally this season 14 in all competitions and was rewarded for his promise with a new long-term contract.
  4. And Rio Ferdinand has put high praise on Foden, comparing him to City team-mates David Silva and Bernardo Silva.
  5. Foden has scored one goal and recorded one assist in all competitions this season for City.

The start was Foden’s fourth since the start of the season, with two coming the League Cup and one in the Community Shield as City were still awaiting the return of their full squad.

Foden has previously been hailed by City manager Pep Guardiola, with the Spaniard insisting the teenager is ready to start games for the club.

And former Manchester United defender Ferdinand is the latest to praise Foden, believing the youngster is similar to City legend David Silva and the impressive Bernardo Silva.

“He seems like a carbon copy of the two Silvas in the way he plays,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.

“It’s two great players who know how to play the game the right way, in a system that can teach him so much.

“And even sometimes just being in the squad and watching it, even as a young kid, just sitting on the bench and being in that environment is sometimes enough.

“And it’s as important sometimes as even just playing at this young age.”

Ferdinand’s sentiments were echoed by former City defender Joleon Lescott, who believes the youngster’s attitude makes him a credit to the club.

“He’s very enthusiastic, and that place [City] is built for Phil Foden, Lescott said.

“He loves the club. He probably would have signed 10 years if it was on the table. And someone with his enthusiasm, we all know he’s got the talent, but it’s his attitude, everyone knows how hard he works around the place and he’s a credit to Man City.”

Man City’s success could stifle Foden, says McManaman

While Ferdinand and Lescott were overwhelmingly positive on the future of Foden, former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman was wary the impact Man City’s successes could have on the teenager’s development.

“Nowadays the players go out on loan if they’re just not at that quality.

“The fact that they’re not letting him go out on loan, because there would be a host of clubs who would take him, suggests that he’s too good to go out on loan, they want him close by.

“The only concern for someone like Phil is that if Manchester City keep progressing, you would presume that they will keep buying and you don’t want him to become stifled, because in the end he needs to play football.”

The post Rio Ferdinand: Phil Foden seems like a carbon copy of David and Bernardo Silva appeared first on Squawka News.



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