‘Up another level’ - Kevin De Bruyne gives Phil Foden verdict after Man City thump Brighton

Kevin De Bruyne has said Phil Foden has played a starring role for many years at Manchester City, but admitted his team-mate has taken his performances to another level this season.

The England international netted a brace on Thursday night in the 4-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, moving his tally up to 22 for the season. As award season beckons, this was another reminder of the excellent levels Foden has routinely provided this term, with another outstanding display that helped City close the gap to leaders Arsenal.

Foden netted a free-kick and scored an instinctive second just before the break to all but wrap up the points at half-time. He also occupied an inverted role where he lined up out wide but habitually floated inside and took up central positions.

Foden has played that role previously for City this season, and scored a hat-trick against Brentford in February when playing in that position. After years of lining in the wide areas, Pep Guardiola is being forced to find ways of getting Foden and De Bruyne into central areas. It’s the sort of responsibility Foden deserves, according to the 32-year-old Belgian.

“I think he will end up centrally,” De Bruyne told Sky Sports. “I’ve seen Phil from the beginning and he was always a no.10.

“I think it’s sometimes hard to understand everything you need to do in a Pep team and I don’t think it was necessarily the offensive at the beginning when you’re young, but it’s the structure of it. I think you get a bit more freedom on the wing, but now Phil gets trusted to play centrally. Today we didn’t play with any wingers and we both played a little bit centrally and then had a go on the wings sometimes. 

“Phil does what does for six or seven years already. It’s not like he's just come onto the scene, he’s been doing this for years. He’s helped us win titles and this year he’s gone up another level.”

Foden has previously been outspoken about his desire to play through the middle and feels he’s developed his game this season operating more centrally. “I’ve always said to myself that I see myself centrally. I think this year I’ve moved more inside and it’s helped my game come on massively. 

“Obviously playing with the best players in the world, like Kev, definitely helps my game. I enjoy it in the middle and that’s where I want to be. I feel like I can score a lot of goals there and create things, and at the moment I’m just enjoying my football and playing with freedom.”