RIO FERDINAND joked it “shouldn’t be allowed” that Phil Foden is seeking his SIXTH Premier League title at the age of just 23.
The Manchester City star scored a sensational hat-trick on Wednesday night to inspire the champions to a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.
It takes his tally for the season to 21 goals in 44 appearances – his best return to date.
The result also leaves Man City just one point behind Arsenal and level with Liverpool – who play Sheffield United in their game in hand on Thursday.
And if Pep Guardiola‘s men triumph again come May, it will be Foden’s sixth league title in seven seasons.
That is something Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand could not get his head around after being told the stat by TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods.
Speaking about Foden, who turns 24 nine days after Man City’s final Premier League game of the season, Ferdinand said: “It’s actually ridiculous isn’t it [that Foden is going for his sixth league title].
“It shouldn’t be allowed, that. It’s too many, too soon.”
Before insisting he should also be playing centrally for England, Ferdinand also praised Foden’s temperament.
He added: “One thing I will say about him as to why he’s probably still here doing what he’s doing – he’s never too high, he’s never too low, it doesn’t seem.
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Here is a list of the major trophies Foden has already won in his career:
“He’s very balanced in his approach and his reactions to certain situations – in game but I would say out of game as well, off the pitch.
“I don’t think he gets too overawed by situations, he doesn’t see situations being too big for him.”
Along with his five league titles, Foden has already won two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
On a personal level, he has also claimed two PFA Young Player of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022.
And he is now the bookies favourite to win the PFA Player of the Year award this season ahead of team-mate Rodri, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.