City manager Pep Guardiola long ago dubbed Foden his player of the season, weeks before the Premier League officially handed him that distinction this month. Before that, he also became the youngest player Guardiola has ever coached to reach 50 career goals—ahead of a former Pep pupil named Lionel Messi. Until this season, Guardiola deployed him mostly on the wing to blow past defenders and swing dangerous balls into the penalty area. “Being an attacking player at City, you want that responsibility to try and score goals and assist my teammates," Foden said. On top of 19 league goals, he delivered eight assists, and was a no-brainer for award voters, becoming the fifth consecutive City player to win the league’s Player of the Season prize.

Source: Wall Street Journal May 21, 2024 10:32 UTC