.png)
7 months ago
40
Phil Foden shocked several Manchester City fans when asked to name his ultimate Premier League XI.
The 23-year-old, who is in the form of his life this season, has netted 22 goals in all competitions with Pep Guardiola's side attempting to become the first club ever to win four consecutive top flight titles in England.
With the business end of the campaign approaching and the European Championship on the horizon, Foden sat down with Mail Sport Football Editor Ian Ladyman to discuss his ascendancy to the top of the sport.
In addition to discussing the title run-in and detailing why he wears the No 47, Foden also named an all-time Premier League XI that raised more than a few eyebrows online.
Starting with his all-important back line, Foden began by naming current City goalkeeper Ederson, before slotting Kyle Walker in at right back.
Phil Foden had a few surprises in store as he told Mail Sport his all-time Premier League XI
The Man City star contemplates after being asked to name his Premier League dream team
The 23-year-old named a handful of current and former Manchester City stars in his team
'I'm serious though, I don't see another right back,' he insisted.
In the heart of defence, Foden placed City legend Vincent Kompany alongside his current title rival Virgil van Dijk, with former Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole rounding out the back four.
Anchoring the midfield, Foden's side featured a four-time Premier League winner, David Silva, paired with former Arsenal talisman Patrick Vieira: 'I feel like [Silva] needs that protection, so it's a good balance,' he reasoned.
The midfield pairing left no room for current City captain Kevin De Bruyne, though Foden did previously remark that he had 'never seen anything like' the Belgian on the pitch.
Leaving De Bruyne out of his fantasy XI proved to be a controversial decision among City fans on social media.
One wrote: 'No KDB Foden needs to be benched next game just for this'
Another agreed: 'Replace any midfielder with kdb and ederson with any good gk and he's spot on'
Ex-Manchester United stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney both were named in the XI
A further fan added: 'It’s calm folks he didn’t put KDB because he was reppin David, it’s all good'
Cristiano Ronaldo was also named in the star-studded side, with Thierry Henry pushed out wide at right wing to accommodate two centre-forwards.
Spearheading the attack, Sergio Aguero was the seventh City alumni to be named in the team with Wayne Rooney joining the Argentinian up front.
Foden's Premier League dream team in full: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Van Dijk, A. Cole; Ronaldo, Vieira, D. Silva, Henry; Rooney, Aguero
English (US)