Ahead of City's trip to Brentford, there were reasonable doubts about whether Phil Foden would feel a bit marginalised in Pep Guardiola's side.
After all, this is the first time since the start of the season that Guardiola has been able to call up De Bruyne and Haaland at the same time. De Bruyne offers creativity and Haaland is in charge of scoring goals. Bernardo Silva then burst inside from the right flank, with Julián Alvarez providing another goal-scoring threat from a forward midfield position.
What will Foden on the left offer?
At full-time, after three goals, it seemed like a stupid question。Even with all these superstars back and in the same team, City relied on Foden to avoid another 'disaster' against Brentford, losing both games to them last season.
Foden's role is undoubtedly different. In City's absence of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, Foden was often in the number 10 role. Few players in the Premier League have proven to be better at keeping football in tight spaces than Foden.
In today's fast-paced football, space is tighter than ever when facing crazy opponents.
Foden proved his worth with three brilliant goals.
The first goal showed his ability to play.
The second was a centre-forward goal, with De Bruyne heading in a cross from the left.
The third goal, meanwhile, showed his understanding of Haaland – Foden could have picked up Rodri's through ball himself, but Haaland yelled at him to get him off the ball and then slipped on the onrushing Foden to complete his second Premier League hat-trick.
Foden is considered a creative attacking midfielder, but he has scored 43 goals in the Premier League while tally 25 assists. He's a goalscorer, not an assister.
Pep Guardiola said after the game: ".We need him today. I said a few weeks ago that this was his most impactful season in terms of goals and assists。When we play simple, he's more aggressive, he's going to enjoy scoring goals and he's a threat when he's there. ”
He loves to play football. When you see a player playing in the streets, he has that culture. He loves to play ......He has a special feeling in terms of the way he moves in tight spaces and the impact (in the box) after that. I've seen very few people like him. ”
In a small space, Foden is king.
Subsequently, Guardiola pointed out how unusual it is for a player to make 250 appearances for the club at the age of 23. Oh yes, and 14 important trophies have been won. But there may be more to come – especially at the international level.
Foden once seemed to be competing with Grealish and Mason Mount for roughly the same type of roles, but there is now little competition. If Foden can play alongside Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne and still prove that his team is the best player, then it is clear that he should be considered one of the best attacking players.