Kevin De Bruyne predicts Phil Foden will eventually become a top class central midfielder despite Man City star scoring a hat-trick from out wide in derby demolition of Man United
- Phil Foden scored a stunning hat-trick as Man City thrashed their rivals 6-3
- England star, 22, has prospered in a wide attacking position in recent seasons
- But Kevin De Bruyne believes Foden will ultimately return to central midfield
- Foden did originally play there when he first broke into Pep Guardiola’s side
Kevin De Bruyne has predicted that Phil Foden will ultimately end up as a central midfielder after the Manchester City man destroyed rivals United.
England international Foden, 22, continued his excellent form with a hat-trick in Sunday’s 6-3 win at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland also hitting three.
It underlined Foden’s importance to Pep Guardiola’s team from what is typically a wide attacking position either on the left or the right.
Phil Foden scored a brilliant hat-trick as Manchester City thrashed rivals United 6-3 on Sunday
Foden has been thriving in a wide attacking position but Kevin De Bruyne predicts a switch
But City’s Belgian star De Bruyne believes Foden will at some point return to the central midfield role he played when he first broke into the first team.
‘He will improve because he’s only 22. I know at 22 I wasn’t the player that I am now,’ De Bruyne said.
‘He’s so good so it’s trying to find consistency. He’s been playing unbelievable for us so he will be here for a long time.
‘What is he good at? The better question is what is he not good at. He can play in a lot of different positions.
Belgian star De Bruyne believes Foden will ultimately be converted back to central midfield
Foden scores City’s sixth goal to complete his hat-trick as they destroyed Man United
‘I think he will end up playing centrally in my opinion. But in this moment in time it is maybe a little bit better for him on the wing.
‘Have more freedom and fewer instructions so he flows into the game.
‘I eventually see him playing more centrally when he gets older and gets more stamina. It’s all about the little details to just find more consistency in the performances.’
Foden has now scored five Premier League and one Champions League goal this season after Raheem Sterling’s departure for Chelsea over the summer opened up more opportunities out wide.
Erling Haaland (right) has scored successive hat-tricks in City’s last three home games
City are in ominous form and have won four consecutive matches as they prepare to take on Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Guardiola’s team then host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
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