- Foden scored twice to inspire Man City to victory in the Manchester derby
- Man United legend Paul Scholes compared Foden to a Premier League star
- Manchester City vs Man United is a derby in name only, we know the winner – it’s like an F1 style parade – Listen to the It all starts podcast
Paul Scholes has praised Phil Foden’s contribution to Manchester City’s title challenge this season, insisting he is already a ‘better player’ than a Premier League legend.
Foden produced a match-winning performance in the Manchester Derby on Sunday, with the 23-year-old helping Pep Guardiola’s side come from behind to achieve a 3-1 victory.
The 23-year-old opened his account for the day with a stunning long-range strike to put his side level – following Marcus Rashford’s spectacular opener – before the England star found the back of the net again in the 80th minute.
Erling Haaland was the last to seal the victory over Manchester United.
Man United legend Scholes joined in the praise for Foden’s performances by comparing the midfielder to Chelsea and England great Frank Lampard.
Phil Foden scored twice as Man City beat Man United 3-1 in the Manchester derby on Sunday
Man United legend Paul Scholes claimed Foden has taken his game to another level this season
Scholes said Foden is a better player than Frank Lampard and has match-winning qualities
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Scholes insisted Foden is a better player overall but believes the Man City star has now added the match-winning qualities that Lampard has shown throughout his career.
“This season he (Foden) has taken it to a new level, with his goals in key moments potentially winning league titles,” Scholes told Premier League Productions.
‘Then you take your game to a higher level. He is still 23 and there is still so much to expect from him, he has become a league winner.
‘He is a better footballer than Frank Lampard, but Frank Lampard scored goals and won competitions for his club from midfield.
‘You expect centre-forwards to do that. Haaland, you just expect his numbers, you expect Michael Owen’s numbers when the team is doing well.
‘But from a midfield perspective you really have to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and say, ‘Okay, I’m going to get us back into this game, I’m going to win competitions for us. “I’m going to win games for us.”
‘I think Frank Lampard was like that and I think Phil Foden is starting to do that, in terms of goals.
‘Phil Foden is a much better footballer than Frank Lampard, don’t get me wrong, but Frank won competitions for his team because of the contribution he made in midfield, especially in big games.’
Foden has scored eighteen goals in forty games in all competitions this season, including eleven in the Premier League.
Schole’s comparison is high praise, with three-time title winner Lampard the sixth highest scorer in Premier League history with 177 goals, the best tally by a midfielder.
Man City’s derby win left Pep Guardiola’s side a point behind leaders Liverpool before the run-in, with Foden hoping to secure a sixth league title since breaking into the first-team starting lineup.
Guardiola has named Foden the Premier League’s best player this season, before claiming his ability to take charge of games at decisive moments reminds him of a young Messi.