Following his outstanding performance in Manchester City’s 3-1 victory against Manchester United, Paul Scholes believes Phil Foden is already a’much greater footballer’ than Frank Lampard in terms of sheer talent.
Foden took Sunday’s Manchester derby by the scruff of the neck after Marcus Rashford put United ahead with a 25-yard thunderbolt in the eighth minute at the Etihad.
The Manchester City offensive midfielder reacted to Rashford’s goal with his own wondergoal midway through the second half, before putting the Premier League winners ahead in the 80th minute with a neat finish past the excellent Andre Onana.
On Premier League Productions, United star Scholes remarked of Foden’s Derby heroics: ‘Look, he’s a better footballer than Frank Lampard, but Frank Lampard scored goals and won leagues for his team from midfield.
You expect centre forwards to do it. When the squad is performing well, you simply anticipate Haaland’s numbers, as well as Michael’s [Owen’s].
After missing a chance in the first half, Erling Haaland put last year’s treble winners out of sight in stoppage time, bringing Pep Guardiola’s side back within a point of league leaders Liverpool.
Erik ten Hag is under fire United, meanwhile, behind fourth-placed Aston Villa by 11 points in sixth position and face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Manchester City’s Phil Foden scores against Manchester United.
The England international fired City in ahead with ten minutes remaining at the Etihad (Image: Getty).
‘But, as a midfielder, you have to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and say, “Right, I’m going to get us back into this game, I’m going to win us leagues, I’m going to win us games!”
“I think Frank Lampard was like that, and I think Phil Foden is starting to do that in terms of goals.”
‘Look, Phil Foden is a much better footballer than Frank Lampard was, don’t get me wrong, but Frank won leagues for his side due of his contributions in midfield, particularly in crucial games, and I believe we’re seeing the same thing with Phil Foden.’
Speaking shortly after the final whistle, a grinning Guardiola pronounced Foden to be the finest player in the English Premier League on current form.
‘It’s the number of games he is playing. He was always a brilliant player, but now he is more mature and knows the game better, particularly defensively,’ City’s head coach told BBC Sport.
‘He can play in the middle and right, create opportunities and cut inside, play on the left, and score from there. What shall I say?
‘He is the finest player in the Premier League right now due to the number of things he does. Unbelievable.’
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