'Player of the Year' Foden has the career Sancho should have had

In 2019, Pep Guardiola raised eyebrows when he declared in a press conference in Japan that Phil Foden was the most talented player he had ever witnessed, despite Foden being just 19 years old and having started only three Premier League games. This statement seemed peculiar considering Guardiola's past collaborations with renowned players like Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, and Kevin De Bruyne. The assertion placed a considerable burden on the young midfielder.

However, with Phil Foden now being lauded as the Premier League's best player, the wisdom behind Guardiola's words has become apparent. Meanwhile, Foden's former academy teammate, Jadon Sancho, is facing challenges while on loan back at Borussia Dortmund.

Once again, Guardiola's foresight has been validated as Phil Foden reaches new heights of brilliance, particularly evident in his outstanding performance during the Manchester derby. Foden's remarkable individual display, marked by two stunning goals, played a pivotal role in guiding Manchester City to victory over Manchester United. Guardiola, echoing his 2019 sentiments, drew parallels between Foden's impact in crucial matches and Lionel Messi, the legendary player who secured numerous victories for Guardiola's Barcelona.

Guardiola, praising Foden, remarked, "The good players can play well, but you have to win games, and I knew the greatest ever player like Messi." While Guardiola acknowledged that Foden is not yet at Messi's level, he emphasized Foden's ability to secure victories. In a separate interview, Guardiola went on to assert that Foden is currently "the best player in the Premier League," a statement that is difficult to dispute given Foden's exceptional performances.

While Phil Foden enjoys the accolades of being the hometown hero who played a decisive role in winning the derby for his beloved club, thoughts inevitably turn to Jadon Sancho, his former teammate from the City academy. Both emerged as prominent talents from City's 2016 class, but their career trajectories have diverged significantly. Foden is now being touted as a potential candidate for the 2024 Ballon d'Or and is poised for a significant summer with the England national team. In contrast, Jadon Sancho's career appears to be experiencing stagnation.

Tearing it up together

When the Premier League fixtures were revealed last summer, Jadon Sancho likely anticipated facing Phil Foden in the Manchester derby for United. However, instead of a showdown, the day preceding Foden's standout performance in Manchester, Sancho faced another disappointing outing in Germany. He was substituted late in Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 victory over Union Berlin, marking his fifth consecutive game without contributing to a goal.

Sancho's chances of participating in another Manchester derby seem slim, given his strained relationship with United after public disagreements, including social media criticism of Erik ten Hag in September, coupled with his refusal to apologize. Reflecting on the divergent paths of Foden and Sancho, it's tempting to ponder what could have transpired if Sancho had exhibited the same patience as Foden and remained at City instead of departing for Dortmund in 2017, seeking regular playing time.

Initially joining City's academy from Watford in 2015 for a fee that eventually rose to £500,000, Sancho, then 15, formed a formidable partnership with Foden in the Under-18s side, each scoring 15 goals. Their prowess was showcased in a 2-2 draw against United's U18s in 2016, with Sancho providing two assists and Foden finding the net. City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarrak identified Foden, Sancho, and Brahim Diaz as exceptionally talented players, expressing confidence in their potential to feature in Guardiola's first team in the near future.

Upheaval for Sancho, stability for Foden

While it might be premature to dismiss Jadon Sancho at 23, his career has unquestionably hit a snag since his move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United in 2021. Over nearly three seasons at Old Trafford, Sancho has managed just 12 goals and eight assists. In stark contrast, Phil Foden has thrived, contributing 18 goals and 10 assists in the past eight months alone.

Sancho's return to Dortmund hasn't revitalized his career, with limited impact in key matches and criticism from sources like German newspaper Der Westen labeling him as "the worst player on the pitch" after a recent defeat to Hoffenheim. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl acknowledges Sancho's challenging situation, citing his lack of playtime in the past six months but emphasizing his potential as a game-changer for Dortmund.

However, Kehl concedes that Dortmund's chances of securing Sancho permanently are slim due to financial constraints. As Sancho faces the prospect of a fourth move in seven years and potentially working under a seventh manager, he confronts further upheaval. In contrast, Phil Foden can anticipate continued stability at the club where he developed, under the guidance of a coach who has consistently believed in his abilities.