Foden has netted 25 goals across all competitions and laid on 11 assists for his team-mates this season, earning him the FWA Footballer of the Year award in what has undoubtedly been his finest season as a professional so far.
As a graduate of the our Academy, Foden has learnt the Club’s style of play inside out.
His progression has also paved the way for the likes of Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb to make their mark on the first team in recent seasons.
Speaking on stage at the FWA awards in London on Thursday night, Begiristain pointed out what the 23-year-old represents for City.
“He is a good example for us. We try to convince the other players to follow him,” he said.
“Of course it’s an award for him and his team-mates but I think this is a special award for Manchester City’s academy.
“He represents all that. A player who loves football, is from Stockport and is enjoying and being professional and adapting himself to the way we want to play.
“I’ve been here for 11 years so I’ve seen everything of him. He is unbelievable. He loves football. He loves to stay on the pitch.
“He is the happiest man. He is the first to go on the pitch, the last one going out. Sometimes we have to tell him [to stop training].
“Because of the players we have and the team, he has been sacrificing himself for the team by playing in wide areas.
“He is already asking to play more central. To have a player who can play wide and is performing and producing his best is a privilege for us.”
While Foden is still young, Begiristain says he has seen our No.47 develop his understanding of the game under Pep Guardiola’s guidance.
With that coaching, the Director of Football now believes Foden knows exactly when to hold onto the ball and when to attack opponents.
“His progression has been unbelievable,” he stated.
“He is 23 and I would say he is getting to the top.
“Phil has always played in the fastest way. I think he is now getting the maturity of when he has to accelerate the game and when to play more calm and composed and to keep possession.
“He is maturing on that. He is 23 years old and he has won trophies like an animal.”
