One Manchester City player would benefit from playing in one position | OneFootball

To say Phil Foden has had a disappointing season would be an understatement. He has had flashes of brilliance but he hasn’t reached the heights of last season during this campaign. In truth, the entire season for Manchester City has been like this. But in the case of Phil Foden specifically, you do feel, after watching him play this season, that he could benefit from playing in one position rather than being shifted around from game to game.

The fact that Foden has played in a variety of roles this season isn’t the reason for his disappointing season. The England international has battled injury, illness and fatigue this season. That has seen Foden’s level drop this season. But looking at how Foden has been utilised this season you see that he has played in a variety of roles this season. You do wonder if that has prevented him from getting any continuity or flow to his game, especially when coupled with his niggling fitness issues.

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As per transfermarkt.com, Phil Foden has played on the right wing, as a number 10, as a false 9 and on the left wing this season. He has been a Jack of all trades of sorts for Pep Guardiola this season. You do see Foden at his best generally playing as a number 10 or on the right wing and drifting centrally. We haven’t seen that lately as he has been deployed as a false 9 of sorts during Manchester City’s past two games against Real Madrid and Liverpool.

Against Liverpool yesterday at the Etihad Foden was largely ineffective over the 90 minutes in City’s 2-nil defeat. Playing primarily as a false 9 Foden couldn’t get into the game. He was largely on the periphery of proceedings as Liverpool’s packed defence denied Foden the space in which he thrives. But also, Foden looked lost playing a role he hadn’t played for some time. You do sense that going forward it may benefit Phil Foden if he can play in a settled position for the remainder of this season.

But what is that role? That appears to be the question. We can take the left wing out of the equation. That isn’t where Foden does his best work. Playing as a false 9 doesn’t seem to be Foden’s best position anymore. That leaves the right wing and drifting centrally or playing in midfield. Whichever role of the two it is Foden should be employed in it for the remainder of this season. It may help restore his confidence and give him some clarity for next season as to where he will play for Manchester City.

Summary.

You do sense that Phil Foden does need to play in a settled position to get back to his best. That may help him and his team going forward. Players with versatility are preferred by Pep Guardiola but you do sense that for Foden to get back to his devastating best he may need to have a defined position to get back to the form he has displayed across his career.