Manchester City 2-1 Hoffenheim: 5 Talking Points

#2 Phil Foden relishes his big opportunity

After a spate of injuries gripped Manchester City, Phil Foden was accorded the opportunity to start against Hoffenheim. The teenager recently put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal and celebrated his new contract with a virtuoso display.

The Englishman started in midfield alongside Gundogan and Bernardo Silva. Despite being thrown into the deep end, Foden emerged with flying colours. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say that he even outshone his more illustrious teammates on the night.

Foden looked composed whenever he was on the ball and chose the right option more often than not. Blessed with the ability to get away from a defender’s clutches with a drop of the shoulder, he twisted and turned superbly to leave the Hoffenheim midfielders in his wake.

Though chances might be hard to come by once the likes of David Silva, Fernandinho and De Bruyne return, the Englishman did his case no harm with a sublime display.

After inspiring England to the U-17 World Cup last year, the whole nation was raving about him and on the weight of tonight’s display, it is easy to see why. Foden has always been looked upon as a player for tomorrow yet, if he keeps conjuring similar performances, he could well transform into one of City’s key players today.

Thus, it’s fair to say that the Englishman took his chance rather well against Hoffenheim.