Former City captain Power – who chalked up almost 450 games for the Club over the course of his distinguished playing career – later became a highly respected member of our Academy coaching set-up.
And he was one of the key mentors in helping oversee Foden’s initial development after Phil first joined City as a young boy more than a decade ago.
Now enjoying his retirement in France, Power has since watched Foden’s elevation onto the senior stage at City with pride and admiration.
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And he believes the progress of the 20-year-old, who hails from Stockport and has become such a huge favourite with our fans, has only helped reinforce the Club’s bond and identity with the Manchester region.
“What fills me with a lot of pride at the moment is to see Phil doing really well,” the former City captain declared ahead of Sunday’s return to Premier League action at home to Liverpool.
“When I was working under Jim Cassell as part of the Academy coaching set-up we were all instrumental in helping to get Phil to sign for us as a nine-year-old.
“Everyone knew he was the best player in the North West when he was eight. United and Liverpool and Everton were all interested in signing Phil.
“But Phil’s Dad is a big Blue and he said: ‘He ain’t going anywhere but City’ and I’m absolutely delighted to see how Phil has progressed.
“His Dad must be proud as anything to see him now in the first team and doing ever so well.
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“I remember during my City career, I played in the semi-final of League Cup in 1976 we went to Middlesbrough and I think 10 of the 11 starting players that night were all local Manchester lads.
“The only one not from the Manchester region was Asa Hartford.
“Now those days are gone of course – but I did feel in recent years we had maybe lost a little bit of that ‘Manc’.
“But I do think Phil has helped put the ‘Manc’ back into Manchester City which I’m delighted to see.”
Despite only being 20, Foden has already amassed two Premier League titles, three Carabao Cups and an FA Cup.
But Power is adamant Foden’s abundant natural talent and positive mindset – and the patient tutelage of Pep Guardiola – will help ensure his development goes from strength to strength.
“Phil’s already achieved some of his potential, but he’s got a lot more to come,” Power insisted.
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“Phil’s mentally tough, he works hard, he’s got the right attitude – and he has got the skill and ability to create and score goals.
“And I would love to think that he can take over from David Silva and be the playmaker that Kun Aguero needs to get chances.
“He’s made mistakes but he’s still very young - he’s still only 20 – and he has the right mental make up to achieve what he wants to in football.
“Pep’s looking after him well – he is giving him more and more time on the pitch and I think it’s fantastic that he’s doing so well.
“And it’s also wonderful to see so many of the other young local lads at the Club progressing and being given their chance.”
