Phil Foden v Wayne Rooney – how do the two players compare?
Phil Foden’s stunning hat-trick against Aston Villa stirred up memories of a young Wayne Rooney as the Manchester City midfielder continues to impress this season.
The 23-year-old starred on Wednesday night, restoring City’s lead just before half-time with a free-kick and adding a second in the 62nd minute before completing his treble shortly after.
His performance drew comparisons with Rooney post-match, with TNT Sports host Laura Woods saying: “The third goal, especially. We were chatting about this a second ago, Rio (Ferdinand) was saying it was almost like your Wayne Rooney moment, that something doesn’t go right, you get angry, and you bang in a goal.”
Foden replied: “You know it’s funny you said that because as I was celebrating I was walking with Jackie (Grealish), he also said about the Wayne Rooney goal, said ‘that’s what it reminded me of’.”
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how the two players compare.
Goals
Wednesday night’s discussion about the two players came following the similarity in the type of goal scored.
Foden’s third goal sparked the conversation as he secured his hat-trick in sensational style with a thumping top-corner finish just moments after losing the ball outside the box.
The comparison to Rooney’s goal against Newcastle in 2005 followed, where the forward smashed an incredible volley from outside the area into the top corner just moments are complaining to the referee about a foul that was not given.
Introduction to senior football
Both players had slightly different introductions to senior football, with Rooney quickly making a name for himself in the top flight.
The striker made his senior debut for Everton in 2002 aged 16 against Tottenham and scored his first Premier League goal for the Toffees in October that year with a long-range curling shot past England goalkeeper David Seaman which bounced in off the underside of the bar.
Rooney netted 17 goals in 77 appearances before moving to Manchester United in 2004, but compared to Rooney’s breakthrough, Foden has gradually eased into the senior team at Manchester City.
After impressing in City’s youth set-up and for England in the Under-17 World Cup, Foden was included in several matchday squads before making his senior bow as a substitute for City in their Champions League clash against Feyenoord in November 2017.
He earned his full debut in the competition the following month before making his Premier League bow against Tottenham 10 days later and Foden made five league appearances in total for the club in the 2017-18 season, gradually cementing his spot in the City line-up over the following seasons.
Style of play
Although Rooney was deployed as a striker for the most part, he was able to play across the forward line and used his pace well to score and create goals.
As well as being involved in wider positions, towards the end of his time with United Rooney dropped into midfield, especially under manager Louis van Gaal.
Foden displays a similar versatility and the left-footed midfielder can play out wide or in attacking midfield.
His best performances seem to come from a more central position, which is where he played against Villa and admitted post-match that he prefers playing in the middle.
Manager Pep Guardiola also believes playing centrally benefits Foden and said: “When Phil plays in a central position he has a sense for goals and he proved it again.”
Stats
After bagging his second hat-trick of the season, Foden now moves onto 21 goals in all competitions, a career best for him.
His first senior treble came in the Manchester derby last campaign where Foden and Erling Haaland both scored three times in City’s 6-3 hammering of their neighbours.
Foden now has three Premier League hat-tricks to his name at the age of 23 and only needs another four to draw level with Rooney, who scored seven in the league.
His total Premier League tally adds up to 49 goals, with 81 in his Manchester City career overall, but he still has plenty of catching up to do with Rooney, who scored 208 times in the top flight and bagged a club-record 253 for Manchester United.
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Ferland Mendy attracting interest from Man Utd & Chelsea - report
Mendy is approaching the final 12 months of his contract with Madrid
Frenchman could lose his spot if Alphonso Davies arrives from Bayern Munich
Man Utd & Chelsea tipped as suitors for left-back
By Tom Gott
Apr 4, 2024 | Updated: Apr 5, 2024, 4:45 PM GMT+1
Mendy's place at Madrid is under threat
Mendy's place at Madrid is under threat / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages
Chelsea and Manchester United have both been named as suitors for Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy by a report in Spain.
Mendy joined Madrid from Lyon in 2019 and eventually assumed starting duties from Brazilian legend Marcelo, but now his spot at the Santiago Bernabeu is under threat as Madrid are looking to bring Alphonso Davies in from Bayern Munich.
With Mendy entering the final year of his contract this summer, questions have been asked over his future at Madrid, and according to Mundo Deportivo, both Chelsea and United are eyeing a summer swoop for the Frenchman.
Davies' potential arrival at Madrid would see Mendy relegated to a backup role and those in charge at the Bernabeu are keen to cash in while they still can in the hope of recovering the money that would be needed to sign Davies, whose contract is also winding down.
There is a divide behind the scenes, however, with manager Carlo Ancelotti known to be a huge fan of Mendy. The boss has often described Mendy as "the best defensive full-back in the world" and is said to be pushing for a new contract to be handed to the 28-year-old.
Alphonso Davies
Mendy's future may depend on Davies / Matthias Hangst/GettyImages
If Mendy is made available for transfer, the report expects both Chelsea and United to try strike a deal, with both Premier League sides known to be on the hunt for a new left-back.
Chelsea, who began the campaign with a surplus of left-backs, are hoping to sell both Lewis Hall and Ian Maatsen this summer and are also expected to entertain offers for Marc Cucurella. Departures for all three would leave just Ben Chilwell as the only senior left-back in the squad.
As for United, Erik ten Hag does already have two senior left-backs in the form of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, but the pair have both struggled with injuries this season. Shaw is facing a battle to add to his 12 Premier League appearances before the campaign comes to a close, while Malacia has not featured at all this year.
Rivalling the two English giants for Mendy's signature could be Bayern Munich, who will be on the hunt for a replacement if they lose Davies. The Canada international's agent recently hit out at Bayern's attempts to pressure him into a decision on his future, insisting there will be no quick resolution from their side.
Bayern officials have tried to hand Davies an ultimatum, warning him that he must accept their contract offer soon or be placed on the transfer list.
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