Pep Guardiola hails Phil Foden’s return to form as Roy Keane praises City star’s honesty

Pep Guardiola was effusive in his praise for Phil Foden after the England star’s role in Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Bristol City on Tuesday night in the FA Cup fifth round clash at Ashton Gate.

The Spanish manager praised the 22-year-old’s ‘impact’ on the game during a season in which he has struggled to find playing time.

Foden himself admitted after the match that he has been struggling with “one of the worst parts of my career” this campaign, complaining of foot soreness and a more liminal role in the wing.

However, he did score twice against a plucky Bristol City side, leaving his manager heaped with praise for bouncing back from a low period and working his way back to being among the goals.

Guardiola also noted that much was expected of Foden since he first appeared on the scene as a teenager, his promise coming under intense scrutiny.

Phil Foden starred Tuesday night with two goals against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City

He opened the scoring for City after just seven minutes before doubling his tally with 16 minutes remaining.

“Dynamics, pace, work rate, his quality,” Guardiola told ITV sport on Tuesday night in a post-match interview.

‘His career was always up, up, up. This season he struggled a bit and was a bit down. But now he is back for the best of the season. The impact of him has been incredible. Football pays off when you work like him.

Foden scored twice, his team’s first two goals of the night, to put the Citizens on track for another round of 16 appearance in football’s oldest competition.

The first came after just a few minutes, before a deflected shot doubled his tally with 16 minutes remaining, followed by a brilliant strike from Kevin de Bruyne to make it 3-0.

But Guardiola was not the only one to praise the youngster’s ability to deal with pressure, despite being only 22 years old.

“It’s good that he has come out and admitted that when we talk about the importance of mental health,” added ITV pundit Roy Keane. He has had some injuries and when you’re not playing it affects you.

“We question whether Foden will catch up in the next few games, or the last two, and he is very much up to date.” ‘

“But it shows the challenges of football players, I know we consider them high-class problems, but it’s still mental work when you’re injured and not on the team.” It can be very, very difficult, but he has come back and is looking back at his prime.”

Guardiola was quick to praise Foden after his impressive performance on Tuesday.

Roy Keane suggested that the ‘down’ period of his career will really benefit Foden in the future

He has been under pressure from a very young age. Big demands, challenges for trophies, playing for England, there are big expectations.

“Sometimes that takes its toll on a player, and it could have in the last few months, so it could have done him a lot of good.”

“Because it’s crucial time for City over the next few months and he has spring in his wake, and maybe the rest and being out will help him in the long run.”

The 22-year-old has made 31 appearances this season but has failed to reach 60 minutes of action on 12 occasions in the Premier League, seven more than in all of last season.

And while Man City are secure in the FA Cup round of 16, they sit second in the Premier League behind leaders Arsenal, and their Champions League future still hangs in the balance after a 1-1 draw with Leipzig in the round of 16. leg.

As such, Guardiola will want to be able to summon every member of his star-studded squad with the quick and hearty games, and if Foden can repeat his Tuesday night performance, it will give the Spaniard a useful headache.

And Keane’s colleague on the night Ian Wright was equally effusive in his assessment of the youngster’s performance against Bristol City, with the Arsenal legend also citing the expectations placed on Foden from an early age.

And ITV colleague Ian Wright added that Foden would hardly be used to not having fought for minutes throughout his fledgling career.

“I thought it was interesting that Pep said that he was always at a high level, we are talking about the 7 or 8 years, since he was there and the elite training he had,” Wright said.

“Obviously he’s someone who’s not used to not playing, so when he’s not playing he’s going to be down.” When you look at the quality, some of the touches, some of the movement, what he was doing today shows his quality.

‘Against this level of opponent, the Bristol City players would have walked off this pitch and said, wow, we’re up against a proper player today.

“He did everything, his touch, his pass, his run on the ball, his movement and obviously the goals he scored as well.” he was brilliant today.