Pep Guardiola has backed Phil Foden to become one of Manchester City’s greatest-ever players after the England midfielder was named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Men’s Footballer of the Year.
Foden won the award after the best individual season of his career during which he has scored 24 goals, including 16 in the Premier League.
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Still only 23 and having already won 14 major trophies, Guardiola says the forward will join the likes of Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee, David Silva and Sergio Agüero as one of the best players in the club’s history.
“This club has a long, long history so you can’t forget what happened with the players who played at Maine Road, like everyone knows,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday.
“I think the club has been built with many, many top quality players. I have the feeling if he continues his career until the end here and continues that level he can be one of the best, that’s for sure.
“Why don’t we wait until he retires and after we can see, he’s still young.”
Foden is set to return to the City squad for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves at the Etihad Stadium after missing the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest because of illness.
Guardiola is also hopeful that Éderson, who went off injury at the City Ground, and Erling Haaland will both be fit to start.
City could kick off against Wolves four points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League if Mikel Arteta’s team beat Bournemouth at the Emirates earlier in the day.
Guardiola, however, insists his team do not need to win the title or the FA Cup for him to believe it’s been a successful campaign.
“It’s not about winning or losing that will change my opinion about this season in terms of what they have done,” he said.
“If we win these two prizes it’s not going to change at all my opinion about that, about the club if we win or don’t win the title.
“Of course we want it but we are fighting for something no team in this country has done ever — ever — so of course it’s a big challenge and we want it.
“But my opinion? It depends if we win in the last minute or not? No chance. I love them so much.”
