“I definitely want to move” – Phil Foden admits desire to make positional switch at Manchester City

Phil Foden has openly stated his desire to play a different position for Manchester City in the coming seasons.

The England international has shone for Manchester City in recent seasons after adapting to play in wide positions under Pep Guardiola, primarily on the left side of a front three.

Rising through Manchester City’s Academy system, Phil Foden operated from midfield more often, but given the talent within the Etihad club’s central areas, adaptation to other areas of the pitch was almost necessary to gain greater game time.

Despite a hugely impressive performance at the weekend, that saw Foden score a sensational goal after coming in from the right and beating five defenders, the 22-year-old still very much has his eyes set on a role in the middle of midfield for Manchester City in the coming years.

Speaking after the 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, Phil Foden admitted on the subject of playing in midfield, “It’s something I definitely want to move into over the next few years.

“I’ve always seen myself playing there. Hopefully, I can adapt and become a midfielder — that’s my aim.

Foden continued, “I feel like I could possibly get a chance there. I love to score goals and the manager sees that and prefers me wide. I enjoy playing anywhere.”

With a summer of significant change expected in terms of first-team personnel, opportunities to play in midfield may become more frequent next season, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the likes of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and Kalvin Phillips.

Manchester City may decide to focus more on recruitment in the wide attacking positions, should Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff feel Phil Foden in particular is developed enough to take on the responsibilities of a central midfielder.

Speaking during a recent press conference, City boss Guardiola hinted at utilising Foden in midfield when his side requires ‘runners’, as he explained, “When I want runners in attacking midfield, I’d put Phil (Foden), (Ilkay) Gundo. They’re better than Kevin (De Bruyne) when it’s more close to the box. When I want more control, I’d play Bernardo (Silva), I’d play another type of player.”