In a bold and unexpected claim, Manchester City’s golden boy, Phil Foden, has stirred the football world by suggesting that a player the club let go for free may have surpassed even the prolific Erling Haaland in talent. The 25-year-old midfielder, speaking ahead of City’s Club World Cup campaign in July 2025, reflected on his time playing alongside some of the club’s greatest legends, including Vincent Kompany, David Silva, and Kevin De Bruyne. However, it was his nod to a lesser-celebrated former teammate that sent shockwaves through the football community, igniting debates among fans and pundits alike about the true hierarchy of City’s recent stars.
Foden, whose own star has risen meteorically since his debut in 2017, has been a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s squad, amassing over 300 appearances and earning accolades like the 2023-24 Premier League Player of the Season. His comments come at a time when Manchester City are looking to rebound from a trophyless 2024-25 season, their first without silverware in eight years. The team’s struggles, marked by a shocking collapse that saw them lose six of eight league games between November and December, have placed scrutiny on the squad’s dynamics, particularly the roles of key players like Foden and Haaland. Despite Haaland’s remarkable tally of 31 goals across all competitions last season, Foden’s remarks hint at a belief that another player, released without a transfer fee, brought something unique to the Etihad.
The player in question, widely speculated to be Kevin De Bruyne, who departed for Napoli on a free transfer after the 2024-25 season, was a linchpin in City’s midfield for nearly a decade. De Bruyne’s vision, pinpoint passing, and ability to dictate games were instrumental in City’s dominance, including their historic treble in 2022-23. Foden, who thrived alongside the Belgian maestro, seemed to suggest that De Bruyne’s all-around brilliance outshone Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess. “He doesn’t even have to be involved much – he just knows in his head if he gets one chance, he’s putting it away,” Foden said of Haaland during a recent interview, praising the Norwegian’s lethal finishing. Yet, his admiration for the departed star appeared even more profound, hinting at a player whose influence transcended mere statistics.
Haaland, the 25-year-old striking sensation, has redefined goal-scoring since joining City in 2022, with his 2024-25 season yielding 21 goals and three assists in the Premier League alone. His ability to deliver in clutch moments, like his four-goal haul against Wolves in May 2024, has made him a fan favorite and a cornerstone of Guardiola’s attack. However, Foden’s comments suggest that the team’s former playmaker offered a versatility and creativity that Haaland, for all his brilliance, cannot replicate. The departure of De Bruyne, alongside other veterans like Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, has forced City to rely on younger talents like Foden, Omar Marmoush, and new signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki to fill the void.
The timing of Foden’s statement is particularly intriguing, as City prepare for their Club World Cup clash against Al Ain on June 23, 2025, following a 2-0 win over Wydad AC where Foden scored the tournament’s fastest goal. “A new season, fresh me,” Foden declared after the match, signaling his intent to rediscover the form that saw him dominate in 2023-24, when he scored 19 Premier League goals and earned multiple individual awards. His struggles last season, hampered by an ankle injury and off-field challenges, have only fueled his hunger to prove doubters wrong. “The hunger inside me is back, and I want to prove people wrong,” he told reporters, a statement that now carries added weight given his provocative comparison.
The debate sparked by Foden’s remarks touches on a broader question: what defines a player’s greatness? Haaland’s raw goal-scoring ability is unmatched, but the departed star’s ability to control games and create opportunities may have left a deeper mark on Foden. As City navigate a transitional phase, with Guardiola rejecting a complete squad overhaul despite interest from rivals like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Foden himself, the young midfielder’s comments underscore the enduring legacy of a player who walked away for free. Whether this was a subtle critique of Haaland or a heartfelt tribute to a former teammate, Foden has reignited the conversation about what makes a true Manchester City legend.
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