The England international bagged a sublime hat-trick in City’s 4-1 win over Villa at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening and his performance earned him compliments from Pep Guardiola, Rodrigo and Matchday Live guests Martin O’Neill and Vassell.
And the latter couldn’t stop praising Foden for not just his performance against Villa, but the phenomenal season he’s been having.
CITY 4-1 ASTON VILLA | MATCH REPORT
“I’ve been impressed by City all evening with their intricate passing down the centre of the pitch – the most difficult place to do it,” began Vassell.
“But that finish [second goal] from Foden for me was his best finish. He was composed, it was side foot, in the corner and went in off the post and you can’t be any more accurate than that.
“So fair play to him and he should be buzzing with himself. Everybody is singing his name for the right reasons and it possibly is his best season ever and it’s not over yet.
“He’s still got more goals I think between now and the end of the season.
“That intensity and intent to go forward all of the time are his best attributes,” Vassell continued.
“The players around him trust him, they feed him the ball back as much as they can. And his first thought is ‘how can I penetrate, how can I get forward and if I do get forward how can I get the return pass too?’. It’s almost this youthful energy along with the ability which is so good to watch.
“I don’t think there is a fan or a Premier League player or someone in or around football that wouldn’t reiterate that Foden is probably one of the best in the world right now at what he does.”
His trio of goals against Villa means Foden has extended his goal tally to 21 on top of his 10 assists in his most productive campaign since stepping up to the senior team in 2016.
The makes him one of five players in Europe’s major leagues to have scored more than 20 and supplied at least 10 assists.
Alongside Vassell on Matchday Live, former Villa manager O’Neill also sung Foden‘s praises following the full-time whistle.
“Absolutely fabulous, he was,” said O’Neill.
“He’s a terrific footballer anyway regardless of his goals but he is magic. And he’s in the form of his life at the moment.
“Manchester City are capable of scoring goals just when you think ‘have they lost their lustre?’. Absolutely not! They’re there again, they’ve been the best side in the country for a number of years and they’re back in it again.”
