Guardiola Highlights Foden’s Role
In a recent post-match reflection, Pep Guardiola highlighted the importance of Phil Foden‘s role as a number 10 for Manchester City, particularly after his remarkable performance in the team’s 2-0 victory over Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup. This match saw Foden returning to form, which had eluded him during the previous season, as he opened the scoring with a well-executed goal in the first half. Savinho later added a second goal, helping to showcase City’s commanding performance, despite their struggles to deliver decisive passes in the attacking zone.
Guardiola’s Praise for Foden
Guardiola’s praise for Foden was evident when he commented on the player’s comfort and effectiveness in a central position, stating,
“Absolutely. Close to the box, I think he plays in the pockets perfectly.”
The City manager emphasized Foden’s unique ability when given freedom near the goal, noting his threat behind the strikers and the improvement seen in recent games, not just in this match, but also against formidable opponents like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Napoli.
Changes in the Lineup
After a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, Guardiola made nine changes to the lineup, keeping only Foden and Nico O’Reilly from the previous game. Notably, teenage striker Divine Mukasa celebrated his inaugural senior appearance, while the Heskey brothers, Reigan and Jaden, also made their debuts, reflecting the youth focus in the squad. Guardiola expressed pride in the six academy products who started the match, remarking on the significance of their contributions to the club.
Kalvin Phillips’ Return
Kalvin Phillips, returning to play for the first time since December 2023, also received attention as he became a father again just a day before the match. Guardiola shared the moment, stating,
“It was a good moment because yesterday he became a father [to] Harry Phillips. He came this morning from London and now he’s going back to London to his wife and the kids.”
This underscored the personal and professional milestones for the player.
Huddersfield’s Resilience
On the opposing side, Huddersfield manager Lee Grant commended his team for their determined performance despite the loss. He remarked on the effort and discipline exhibited, expressing pride in how they handled City’s possession and minimized their clear goal-scoring opportunities.
“We’re under no illusions that they had lots of control and domination. They can really hide the ball from you,”
Grant noted, reinforcing the resilience of his squad even in the face of a strong opponent like City.
