Phil Foden is the best player in the Premier League right now and he only underlined that title further with his brace in the Manchester derby, according to Pep Guardiola.
The Man City boss was left in awe of his playmaker’s display as he played a key role in dismantling a United side that took a surprise early lead at the Etihad Stadium.
Foden is now at 18 goals and 10 assists for the season and he received a standing ovation when he was taken off.
Asked afterwards where Foden ranks in the Premier League, Guardiola was in no doubt as to where he would place him.
‘He can play middle, right, make moments and cut inside, play in the left, scoring from the left. What can I say? He is the best player in the Premier League right now for the amount of things he does. Unbelievable,’ Guardiola told the BBC.
Phil Foden scored twice as Manchester City defeated Manchester United on Sunday afternoon
Pep Guardiola (left) believes Foden (right) is the best player in the Premier League right now
‘It is the amount of games he is playing. He was always a talented player but now he is more mature and understands more the game, especially defensively.
‘When he scores two goals it gives me more pleasure than the other stuff. We don’t negotiate over that, the guy who doesn’t do that doesn’t stay in the team.
‘He loves football, he lives for football. He is a joy and his work ethic is unbelievable.’
Foden took all the headlines with his match-winning display against United, with two goals bringing the Premier League champions from behind after Rashford’s early strike.
Asked about the impact of Foden this season, Man City captain Kyle Walker echoed the thoughts of his manager.
‘This season he has been nothing short of first class,’ Walker told Sky Sports.
United took an early lead but Foden showed all his class to score twice to send City to victory
Erling Haaland added a third but this was Foden’s (left) day after his match-winning display
‘That is the standard he sets for himself and we set for him. It is the standard he needs to keep up now.
‘When he comes in on his left foot we call him the sniper because he likes to shoot. When he comes in on the left foot you know he has the calmness and composure to pick his spot.
‘We lean on him. We need important players like him because they help you win games.
‘He puts the work in, he is always doing extra shooting. His goals are coming in, he is reaping the rewards and he needs to keep these standards up.’
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