Owen Hargreaves has explained why Phil Foden is the "most unique footballer" in the world following his instrumental display during Manchester City's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.
The 21-year-old was summoned by Pep Guardiola in the 68th minute as part of a triple change from the Citizens boss, with the game still goalless and Diego Simeone 's side in a typically stern mood. But Foden need just two minutes to make an impact, threading Kevin De Bruyne through to break the deadlock. The super sub was then hailed Hargreaves, who laid out what makes him so special post-match.
"He's able to do this as a false nine, as a right winger, as a No.10, as a deeper midfielder, he can play off the left. It's hard enough to play at this level, he can play at a world-class level in four or five different positions," the former Manchester United ace, who also played for City, began on BT Sport.
"The thing is with Phil he's one of one, he's the most unique footballer around, When you see videos of him playing when he's 10 he's half the size of everyone else but now I think Phil's still at the beginning of his development, I think there's much more to come. For me personally, I think he's David Silva, [his best position is] central. He's best on the half turn."
Ex-United teammate Rio Ferdinand joined the bandwagon, heaping praise on Foden for his decisive impact. "The composure that he's got, the ability he's got to draw players to him. His footwork, he causes havoc, he's got that clarity when he's running," Ferdinand noted.
"I think also what's a good indicator is he comes off the bench and he's straight into it, that's an intelligence, that's concentration, that's an understanding. You talk about Chicharito [Javier Hernandez], Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and people coming off the bench, it's not an accident that happens.
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"99 per cent of players come off the bench and don't impact the game, but the ones that do are the ones who are concentrating, they understand, they're intelligent, and come on there to show a desire to show why they should be playing, and within 80 seconds he [Foden] decides the match."
And, of course, Guardiola lauded his star - as well as the his substitutes, Gabriel Jesus and Jack Grealish - by saying: "The guys were playing well but we know Gabriel and Phil have a special energy and Jack for the quality of keeping the ball. Only when we make a sub it is because we think it can be a bit better. It works sometimes but other times it doesn't."
Goalscorer De Bruyne added: "I made the run and Phil found me perfectly, I needed to stay composed and luckily I did. It's very hard. They played with almost five at the back and with five in midfield. I recommend anyone that says anything [about us], that they try playing against that on the training ground."
