Pep Guardiola hails Phil Foden’s stunning ability as teenager makes first senior Manchester City appearance

PEP GUARDIOLA admits he was lost for words after watching teenage sensation Phil Foden star in his first senior appearance for Manchester City.

Foden only left school a year ago, but Guardiola says he is considering naming him in his Premier League squad next season because he is such a precocious talent.

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And the impact the 17-year-old from Stockport made in the pre-season friendly against Manchester United was not lost on the City boss.

Guardiola said : “I don’t have words – I would like to have the right words to describe what I saw.

“You are the lucky guys who saw the first game, for the first team for Manchester City, of this guy.

“It’s a long time since I saw something like this. His performance was another level.”

Foden was City’s best player in their 2-0 defeat to United in Houston, which saw goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford seal the game.

The teenager, who was an unused sub in the Champions League game against Celtic last season, shone in midfield up against Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.

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And his efforts throughout pre-season have clearly impressed Guardiola, who is now seriously tempted to name in his Premier League squad this season.

The City boss added: "He’s 17-years-old, he’s a City player, he grew up in the academy, he loves the club, he’s a City fan and for us he’s a gift.

"He will stay with us training with us in the pre-season and maybe he’ll stay with us in season because he’s special."

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Foden has made a huge impression in his first year at City, helping the club reach the FA Youth Cup final last season.

He also played a vital role for the England under-17s as they were narrowly beaten in the European Championship final earlier this summer.