Man City defender Kyle Walker explained why Foden has earned the monicker of “The Sniper” around the club training ground as he closed in on hitting double figures in the Premier League for the second season in a row.
“This season Phil has been nothing short of first class,” Walker told Sky Sports. “That’s the standard he sets for himself. That’s the standard the manager sets for him. He needs to keep that up now.
“We call Phil ‘the sniper’ because he likes to shoot. When he comes in on that left foot you know he’s got the quality and composure to pick his spot. He took his goals fantastically well.
“We lean on him and we need important players. He practices and puts the work in. His goals are coming and he’s reaping the rewards.”
Speaking after his latest match-winning performance, Guardiola told Sky Sports Foden had shown his world-class credentials – and had cemented his place as City’s player of the season with his recent displays.
“Winning games is when you become a world-class player,” Guardiola said. “Everyone plays good but you have to win games, and he wins games. What can I say?
“He loves football. He lives to play. There are people who like to play. He loves to play football.
“He will already be a legendary player because in a short age, the games played, the minutes, the goals scored, the titles won and he is from the home and that is why the connection with the fans is unbelievable.
“He is the player of the season, with all the respect for incredible players but no one has been so decisive for us as him this season.”