Pep Guardiola has urged Phil Foden to be his own player and not try to emulate De Bruyne’s exploits for Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola wants Phil Foden to focus on his own game and not take any ‘unnecessary burden’ on his shoulders.
The Citizens were dealt a blow with the news that De Bruyne could be facing four to six weeks out due to a hamstring injury.
Should De Bruyne be out of action for the full six weeks, he would miss games against West Brom, Sheffield United, Burnley, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, Borussia Monchengladbach, and West Ham.
De Bruyne is arguably irreplaceable in the City side but Guardiola has other creative names in Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan to call upon.
Foden also brings creativity to the side but has played more of a dynamic role of late. Guardiola wants the youngster to continue playing as he is at the moment and not try to become a ‘replacement’ for De Bruyne.
The youngster has impressed of late and continues to deliver as he grabbed a goal in City’s 3-1 victory over Cheltenham in the FA Cup on Saturday.
“We have the players,” Guardiola said as per the club’s social channel.
“Phil has to be Phil and not be Kevin De Bruyne because there is only one Kevin De Bruyne.”
“He needs to keep doing what he has been doing in terms of when we are in a bad moment or when we are losing in terms of what he gave to the game.”
Manchester City will be looking to continue their winning run in the Premier League when they take on West Brom on Tuesday night.