Graeme Souness and Micah Richards heap praise on Phil Foden after two-goal display against Burnley

Phil Foden received heaps of praise from Micah Richards and Graeme Souness after his two-goal display helped Manchester City beat Burnley 5-0.

The starlet was instrumental in City’s victory, scoring the first and fifth goal at the Etihad and adding to his goal on their Premier League return against Arsenal.

The 20-year-old has been highly-rated by manager Pep Guardiola for some time but the several world class midfield players have at their disposal has meant Foden has had to be patient to get his chance.

Television pundits were full of praise for Phil Foden after his two-goal performance vs Burnley

Foden has had to bide his time behind David Silva, who has been a mainstay in City’s midfield for the best part of a decade but will move on at the end of the season. 

Former City man Richards feels next season will be Foden’s time to force his way into getting a regular starting spot.

‘I know it’s difficult when David Silva’s in there but this is what he can produce when he’s in that middle,’ Richards said on Monday Night Football. 

‘He’s just absolutely amazing, watching them three (Foden, Silva and Bernardo Silva) play together it’s like a cheat code, it’s absolutely ridiculous. They all go in to the same positions, one drops off, one fills in, they all know where to be, just amazing, and what I love so much about him is that he’s a local boy.

Former City man Micah Richards backed Foden to secure a regular starting spot next season

20-year-old may get his chance for an extended run in the City team when David Silva leaves

‘Not going to spend millions, we’ve got the talent here in Manchester and he deserves everything he gets, I really hope for everyone next season he can push on and cement that spot.  

Foden is starting to have a greater and greater role in this City side. Before lockdown, he put in a man-of-the-match display in the Carabao Cup Final against Aston Villa to help his team to a 2-1 victory.

After watching another influential performance tonight, Souness agreed that the sky is the limit for the technically-gifted midfielder.

‘He’s obviously a talent and he’s got a chance of being a real player. 

Graham Souness also hailed the young starlet, saying the midfielder has ‘the world at his feet’

‘He’s a boy with a wonderful talent, he says the right things in terms of learning the game. Listen, he’s 20-years-old, he looks like he belongs at that level’, Souness added. 

‘He’s a young man who’s got the world at his feet, as long as he shows the attitude he showed today in terms of being aggressive and wanting to learn.