Paul Scholes has admitted that Manchester City have a player whom he is a massive admirer of.
The retired midfielder is a Manchester United legend and coming through the Red Devils’ academy, it goes without saying that he harbours a feeling of hostility towards City.
However, the 50-year-old does not let his bias come in the way when he speaks about Manchester City’s players.
For instance, Paul Scholes admires Erling Haaland as he claimed that the Norwegian is certainly one of the best strikers in Premier League history.
Scholes named David Silva as Spain’s greatest-ever player as well and now, he has waxed lyrical about one of the former City legend’s teammates on The Good, Bad and The Football podcast.
Phil Foden looking on during Manchester City v Manchester United
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Paul Scholes says he loves Phil Foden
The name in question is Phil Foden, whom the two-time Champions League winner admitted he missed watching at his best last season after the attacker starred in the Manchester Derby.
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Scholes claimed Foden is superior to Frank Lampard, naming him as a “much better footballer” last year — which illustrates how highly he rates him.
Paul Scholes has now admitted that he loves the 25-year-old, despite him representing the blue side of Manchester.
“Yeah, Phil Foden. I’ve quite missed Phil Foden this past year. What a player.”
“Great lad as well. Lovely lad. I don’t know the lad but I just love watching the kid play football even though he plays for them.”
Foden stats compared to Paul Scholes
Foden will be honoured to discover how much Paul Scholes admires his game.
The veteran is regarded as one of the best midfielders England have ever produced.
Based on the stats, the Stockport-born technician still has a way to go to hit Paul Scholes’ heights.
CAREER STATS PHIL FODEN PAUL SCHOLES
GAMES 366 782
GOALS 105 169
ASSISTS 70 96
However, Foden is not far off Scholes from a statistical standpoint, as he is 64 goals and 27 games behind matching the latter’s career tally despite playing less than half as many games as the player-turned-pundit.
Considering Foden shone in central midfield against Manchester United, perhaps he could eventually turn into a deep-lying playmaker like his countryman one day as well.