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Manchester City player Phil Foden finished last season out of the starting XI, but looks set to occupy midfield next year
Manchester City fans were alarmed when midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered a second Champions League final injury after walking off the field in the previous final against Chelsea 2021, costing the team the title.
But luckily in the final against Inter, there was a perfect replacement for Bruinh, Phil Foden.
who joined the City squad, after the Belgian's exit, dominated the midfield of the team with all power, amid the road to Inter.
Which contributed to the sealing of Manchester City's first title, but is it time for Foden to join midfield, after Gondwan's departure?
Glamour Period
Foden started last season perfectly, scoring six goals and creating three, and was at his best in a 6-3 sweeping win over Manchester United.
But his modest performance during the 1-0 defeat by Liverpool brought him back to the bench for three games.
Return to the bench before injury to the wings
While Foden recovered from the injury, there was no place for him in Pep Guardiola's squad.
But he took part in Leeds and Everton at the end of the season, because of the Spanish manager's focus on the Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid.
It seems that without De Bruyne's injury to the Champions League final, he was not in the tournament.
There are no guarantees of a basic place
Foden performed strongly in the World Cup with England, starring in the win over Wales and Senegal, and was instrumental in the quarter-final defeat to France. But when he returned to Manchester, he was on the bench.
He participated as a starter against Chelsea and Manchester United, but his injury to Old Trafford disrupted his season, so he did not guarantee a place in the starting XI.
Grealish returns strongly
Foden succeeded in playing as a starting left-wing center last season, dominating his position.
But with Grealish coming in and adapting to the team, Guardiola's preference for the former Aston Villa player, Foden went for the substitutes.
Achieving a long-term goal
Guardiola did not prefer the idea of playing Foden on the right flank, and sees Mahrez and Silva strike a lot of balance.
That puts Foden in a difficult position, he has only the midfield.
Foden considers himself a future Manchester City midfielder, saying last season: "It's something I want to turn into in the years to come. I've always seen myself play in that position. I hope to adapt and become a midfielder, this is my goal "
Takes leadership from Gondwan
The departure of Gondwan gives Foden an opportunity to advance, and to take advantage of the opportunity to share the empty place in the midline.
Two delegations are able to participate in the triple and quadruple midfield, but will be better in the latter, with Stones and Rodri relieving him of some defensive tasks.
Guardiola's next project
Guardiola is known for guiding his players, rediscovering their skills with new positions, he is the first to direct Messi to play as a mock 9.
He sees Foden as capable of playing midfield, so it's good for England to play under the Spanish manager, he might have the chance to play as a regular next season.
"Over time he will be able to accomplish the task."
Guardiola described Foden as the most talented young player he sees, saying: "When you play wing position, you move to the right and do a lot of things, when you're in the middle a lot happens as well, and you have to read what happens to react properly. Phil is really good at doing that, right side as Kevin plays. "
He added: "He's also good in midfield, he's still young, he's got a lot of time to develop, and with his passage he's going to be able to accomplish the tasks that are needed to the fullest."
No need for Rice
Following Manchester City's decision to drop the race with Arsenal, the West Ham United man is included, with the European champions focusing on other targets.
There will be a great opportunity for Foden, to prove himself in midfield, and it will be interesting to watch him develop in that position next season.