Pep Guardiola says Phil Foden is the ONLY Man City player he would never sell… even for €500m
PEP GUARDIOLA claims Phil Foden is the ONLY player Manchester City will never sell — even for 500 million euros.
The England Under-21s star has committed his future to his boyhood club, despite struggling for first-team chances.
Yet boss Guardiola believes the 19-year-old is City’s future — and will be their next “magician” once David Silva leaves in the summer.
Guardiola said: “We didn’t give Foden a new contract by accident.
“He is the only player that can’t be sold under any circumstances — the only one. Not even for 500m euros.
“Phil’s going nowhere — Phil IS City. We won’t be signing anyone else for that position.
“When David Silva leaves, we know exactly who our new magician will be.”
A new book, ‘Pep’s City: The Making of a Superteam’ reveals Guardiola has been a huge fan of Foden since arriving in 2016.
‘ONE OF THE BEST’
The teen attacker saw ex-youth team-mate Jadon Sancho go to Borussia Dortmund, while Brahim Diaz also went to Real Madrid.
But Guardiola picked out Foden ahead of those two and believes he is destined for greatness.
He added: “He’s grown up with us. He’s one of us and he’s going to be brilliant — one of the Premier League’s best.”
Sancho, 19, in particular has gone on to become a superstar in Germany.
But while Foden is having to wait for his chance, Guardiola argued: “It’s better to take things slowly.
LADBROKES 1-2-FREE Simply predict Scotland vs San Marino, Wales vs Croatia and England vs Bulgaria scores this coming week and win £100
most read in football
“One thing is clear, Foden has a place in City’s first team.
“I’d be interested to see if a different manager would have given him his chance to develop, or loaned him out.
“I don’t like leaving him out of certain games but must think of the whole squad. Phil understands that.”