Ask any Manchester City fan and they’ll tell you: Phil Foden is going places.
Still just 17, the Stockport-born midfielder was one of the stars of England’s recent Under 17 World Cup win, scoring twice in the final against Spain.
He’s earned rave reviews for City youth teams in recent years and, having made a big impression on Pep Guardiola, was even named on the bench for the senior squad’s Champions League group match against Celtic last season.
With City already sealing their place in the knockout stages of this year’s competition, Foden was handed his first start for the club in their final group game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Inevitably, there was plenty of excitement from City’s supporters about the news… although this was soon replaced by confusion when they realised the position he’d been asked to play by his manager.
Instead of playing him as an attacking midfielder, Guardiola decided to field him as a left back.
My word Foden is actually playing left-back. Didn’t see that one coming
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) December 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/City_Watch/status/938495360401641472
Isn’t Phil Foden a CM? But he’s a LB tonight? 🤔🤔 #UCL #SHAMCI
— HanÃsh. (@hanishp02) December 6, 2017
Isn’t Phil Foden a CM? But he’s a LB tonight? 🤔🤔 #UCL #SHAMCI
— HanÃsh. (@hanishp02) December 6, 2017
Playing Phil Foden at left back.. What did Guardiola smoke tonight? 😂😂
— Rick SancheZ (@SamuelC_Younger) December 6, 2017
Why is Phil Foden playing left back?
— Nkah Menz'sto (@__uNkah) December 6, 2017
Why the fuck is foden playing left back
— sam findlow (@samfindlow) December 6, 2017