Month: September 2018

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola feels Phil Foden is ready to earn a call-up to the England senior squad though he is unlikely to fast-track the youngster’s development after the comments made by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate. Foden, 18, has yet to make a Premier League start in his professional career but he has certainly caught the eye of the British press after starring during the Community Shield game against Chelsea.

During that encounter, Foden got a rare opportunity to start for Pep Guardiola’s side in the absence of a few first-team regulars and he made the most of the chance by contributing an assist for Sergio Aguero, who bagged a brace during the game. Since then, there has been much talk about Foden’s progress with Southgate urging Guardiola to play him more often but the Catalan has stressed that the youngster will be treated the same way as other midfield recruits within the squad.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola feels Phil Foden is ready to earn a call-up to the England senior squad though he is unlikely to fast-track the youngster’s development after the comments made by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate. Foden, 18, has yet to make a Premier League start in his professional career but he has certainly caught the eye of the British press after starring during the Community Shield game against Chelsea.

During that encounter, Foden got a rare opportunity to start for Pep Guardiola’s side in the absence of a few first-team regulars and he made the most of the chance by contributing an assist for Sergio Aguero, who bagged a brace during the game. Since then, there has been much talk about Foden’s progress with Southgate urging Guardiola to play him more often but the Catalan has stressed that the youngster will be treated the same way as other midfield recruits within the squad.

He said: ““No, no, I don’t feel the pressure about that. I feel the pressure to win the games. We do our best“, I do my best. I think Phil is ready [for England]. [He’s ready for City because] he’s here. If he wasn’t ready, he wouldn’t be here. He’s ready and after, it’s the same case with Leroy, he can compete “with David, with Gundot“, with Kevin when he’s fit, with Dinho, with the top players. He’s special, his work ethic is excellent, he will have a lot of minutes this season and after that Gareth has his own decision.”

Foden appears unlikely to earn a start in the Premier League in the near future but he may earn some opportunities in the League Cup, should the Citizens manage to offer a strong defence this campaign. A loan departure could be another choice to enhance his development but it remains to be seen whether Guardiola would sanction such a temporary deal with the evident lack of central midfield options at the moment.
Aside from young Foden, Fernandinho, David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan are the only specialists at the heart of the midfield with Kevin de Bruyne currently injured and Yaya Toure having parted ways with the club during the summer.

Leicester City attacker Demarai Gray is keen to make the next step in his international career and break into the England squad. The 22-year-old has been regarded as one of the promising young prospects in the country but he has not managed to secure a senior call-up despite representing the Under-21s on a regular basis.

Speaking to reporters, Gray highlighted that he has now matured into a better footballer and he would rather represent the nation than watch them from the pub, he said: “I think it’s time I take the next step into my game. I’m 22 now and I’m maturing as a player and as a person. I think because I’ve been around first-team football since I was 17, I know the ins and outs of what goes on, what’s to be expected and the highs and lows. I don’t want to be watching England from the pub, I want to be at the next Euros, at the next World Cup. I think that’s my next target and to do that, I’ve got to keep working on my game here at Leicester and performing.”

Leicester City attacker Demarai Gray is keen to make the next step in his international career and break into the England squad. The 22-year-old has been regarded as one of the promising young prospects in the country but he has not managed to secure a senior call-up despite representing the Under-21s on a regular basis.

Speaking to reporters, Gray highlighted that he has now matured into a better footballer and he would rather represent the nation than watch them from the pub, he said: “I think it’s time I take the next step into my game. I’m 22 now and I’m maturing as a player and as a person. I think because I’ve been around first-team football since I was 17, I know the ins and outs of what goes on, what’s to be expected and the highs and lows. I don’t want to be watching England from the pub, I want to be at the next Euros, at the next World Cup. I think that’s my next target and to do that, I’ve got to keep working on my game here at Leicester and performing.”

Gray has shown glimpses of his potential during his time at the King Power Stadium. but he has not managed to become a regular contributor in terms of goals and assists – unlike some of his compatriots. As such, he has not made the breakthrough under Gareth Southgate, but hopefully, the ongoing season manages to bring a change in his fortunes.

The Foxes have witnessed the likes of Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire become regulars with the national team over the past year or so and Gray could certainly take some motivation from the latter, who was only a spectator when the Three Lions were featuring at Euro 2016. Maguire was a constant presence for England at the recent World Cup where they managed to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.