Manager Josep Guardiola insisted Phil Foden was “not good” despite scoring his sixth goal in four Premier League games in Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Foden continued his form at Selhurst Park, helping City come within two points of Arsenal, beating Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson with an accurate shot from outside the box.
His goal-scoring performance was right in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel, but Guardiola insisted that while he was happy with the 25-year-old’s defensive work rate, his overall performance in possession showed there was still room for improvement.
“Phil today was not good, although I know people may think differently,” Guardiola said at a press conference.
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Man City
“He wasn’t playing at his best, so he lost a lot of balls. He was very hasty in his decisions and was very anxious.
“He has to play, just hold the ball and link up with other players and at the right moments have this explosion that only he has in terms of goals and assists.
“But first he has to be more calm. He always wants to do well and help others. He doesn’t clarify the situation.
“But Phil was unbelievable in terms of his work defensively, the way he pressed and the way he came back.
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Watch Phil Foden’s goal against Crystal Palace
“That was one of his best (defensive performances). He probably ran the best on the team and scored the goal because he was unbelievable close to the box.”
Foden’s goal took his tally to seven in the Premier League this season, equaling the total he scored in the whole of last season, when the Reds endured a slump.
After the final whistle at Selhurst Park, Guardiola walked off the pitch with his arm around his shoulders and a deep discussion.
“He has a lot of room to understand the game,” added the Manchester City manager.
Erling Haaland scored twice in the 3-0 win.
“Just because he’s at the top doesn’t mean his quality improves unbelievably, but it’s about understanding the game, how to have certain moments, how you have to play and how you have to speed up the game and sometimes slow down.
“Of course we have to leave room for everyone to improve. Everyone.”
Carla: ‘Foden’s form will worry Arsenal’
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher offered a different assessment after the match, saying Foden was back to form in Super Sunday: Extra-time.
“He was player of the year a year or so ago. Last season, for some reason, he wasn’t himself at all.
“But now he’s looking back at his best, and he’s back to his best, one of the best players in the Premier League.”
“It’s not Haaland. He’s the one who’s really scary for Arsenal because there’s high expectations for Haaland. He’s doing it every year, scoring 30 or 40 goals.”
“But I’m really worried about Foden coming back to the party.”
