'Phil Foden Goes Down As The Greatest English Player If He Continues At Same Rate'

Phil Foden will go down as "arguably the greatest English player" if he continues in the same vein.

That's according to former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott, who was speaking after Foden came off the bench to help Pep Guardiola's side to a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

Foden started as a substitute for the Champions League quarter final, where City's attack was smothered by a stern Atletico backline.

But then Guardiola made three substitutes in the second half and it was Foden who made a monumental impact.

Just 80 seconds after entering the fray, he received the ball on the half turn, dribbled towards goal and threaded in a delightful pass for Kevin De Bruyne to fire home the winner.

It was pretty much Foden's first touch and he provided the stand-out moment of quality. In the mood, he then went and jinked past two players like they weren't there after receiving the ball on the right.

Foden has gone from strength to strength after coming through the ranks at the club and breaking into Guardiola's side.

Capped 15 times for his country, the 21-year-old is now a regular for Gareth Southgate's England and looks set to play a starring role at his first World Cup in November.

Lescott, who won two titles with City, is a huge fan of Foden and says with his talents and mentality, he has the potential to go down as England's best ever player.

“Phil Foden is associated with Man City and I know what it means for him to play for the club," Lescott said on BT Sport.

"If he continues at this rate, he goes down as the best English player of all time with two trophies a season.

"His mentality sets him apart. If you compare him with someone like Wayne Rooney, you can see players who are hurt when they don’t win. He is obsessed, I love what I do but he needs to do it.

"We had to remove the balls from the hotel because you could not get him off the training ground as he wants to improve all the time."

Foden has scored 42 goals in 159 appearances for his boyhood club and won PFA Young Player of the Year award last season for his most productive campaign.

Foden's teammate Joao Cancelo has said the pint-sized Stockport midfielder will become the best player in the world one day.

Featured Image Credit: Image: PA

Topics: Phil Foden, Manchester City, England

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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