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What type of player can Phil Foden become?
A gem with clear qualities, but a position and positioning that is still evolving. Some delightful assets, and other aspects that are yet to be defined.
A gem with clear qualities, but a position and positioning that is still evolving. Some delightful assets, and other aspects that are yet to be defined.
Q u a l i t i e s
Foden stands out, especially, for his extremely high technical quality. To pass the ball, to carry it and to protect it. He always ask for the ball at his feet, which is followed by his exquisite first touch and close control.
Foden stands out, especially, for his extremely high technical quality. To pass the ball, to carry it and to protect it. He always ask for the ball at his feet, which is followed by his exquisite first touch and close control.
His body orientation gives him time and an advantage before, and after, making a control. He receives the pass and, in a quick move of his hip, he turns around and starts facing the opposing goal.
Technique joined by the right body shape.
Technique joined by the right body shape.
He is incredibly fast and agile and, despite just 1.70 metres tall, it's extremely hard to catch him and take the ball off him.
Moreover, his reading of spaces, particularly when he has to operate in tight spaces, is exceptional as he spots the gaps in the opposing defences.
Moreover, his reading of spaces, particularly when he has to operate in tight spaces, is exceptional as he spots the gaps in the opposing defences.
P r o f i l e
Foden is associative, but does not get attracted to drop excessively low to the base of the midfield. He prefers to stay higher, between the lines, and wait for the ball to come at him. He's not impulsive at chasing the ball, but rather stays in the final third.
Foden is associative, but does not get attracted to drop excessively low to the base of the midfield. He prefers to stay higher, between the lines, and wait for the ball to come at him. He's not impulsive at chasing the ball, but rather stays in the final third.
So right now, no, Phil isn't an organiser yet. He isn't the player to construct long sequences of passes, but rather to add more rhythm and quality touches closer to the edge of the box. He often appears in the latter stage of build-ups, despite his personality to offer himself.
N e w h i n t s
However, while Foden likes to have the ball at his feet rather than run out of it, it is surprising how well he has performed as a right winger. In fact, he has been quite orthodox as a winger, executing more academic off-ball moves than, for example, Mahrez.
However, while Foden likes to have the ball at his feet rather than run out of it, it is surprising how well he has performed as a right winger. In fact, he has been quite orthodox as a winger, executing more academic off-ball moves than, for example, Mahrez.
This proves that the 19-year-old is very very intelligent positionally. He can stay out wide and wait patiently, sometimes making runs behind the defence.
From the flank, he can set up transitions as he is facing the goal diagonally.
From the flank, he can set up transitions as he is facing the goal diagonally.
While playing out wide is not the position that makes the most of his on-ball virtues, it does demonstrate that he understands time and space superbly.
F u t u r e
Foden has technical qualities that make him perfect for a possession-oriented team, but his tendency to stay higher and want the ball at his feet does not yet make him ideal for the positional play. But he will be one day.
Foden has technical qualities that make him perfect for a possession-oriented team, but his tendency to stay higher and want the ball at his feet does not yet make him ideal for the positional play. But he will be one day.
His positioning still needs to be defined. The evolution into a n.8 seems clear, yet he still has some spatial concepts to acquire.
But, with his vision, passing, ball-carrying abilities, and technical finesse, he has the talent to become an organiser too and not just playmaker.
But, with his vision, passing, ball-carrying abilities, and technical finesse, he has the talent to become an organiser too and not just playmaker.
