According to pundit Kevin Campbell, Phil Foden will play more frequently for Manchester City this year.
After winning the league again at the end of their previous season, the winger is getting ready to start his latest Premier League campaign with Pep Guardiola’s team.
Ilkay Gundogan left the squad earlier in the summer transfer season to sign with Barcelona as a free agent, and one expert said that this would give Foden a bigger role in the team.
Campbell backs Foden for a significant role.
When asked if he believed City would need to replace Gundogan in a recent session of the BBC’s Football Daily podcast, Campbell stated this regarding Foden.
“I believe they already have one of them in the building,” he remarked, referring to Phil Foden. Now, I believe Foden will be featured a lot more.
The Englishman played in 48 games for City in all competitions last year, starting 29 of them, and contributing 15 goals and 8 assists.
Even though the England international played mostly in wide positions last season, he occasionally played as a central midfielder or in a more attacking role in the middle of the pitch.
This may be the reason Campbell believes Foden will play a bigger role in the midfield next season as a result of Gundogan’s departure.
In addition to Gundogan leaving the Citizens, Riyad Mahrez also left the team this summer, which might give the Englishman additional opportunities to start.
Future Foden will need to demonstrate to Guardiola that he has what it takes to be one of the first names on the teamsheet, in whatever position, if he ends up making the starting XI.