Enzo Maresca has revealed that Phil Foden could be deployed as a backup striker if Erling Haaland faces any future injury scares, such as the one against Ipswich Town at the weekend.
Phil Foden scored on his return to the Man City starting XI against Ipswich on Saturday.More Videos
Following his side’s 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium, the Norway international was seen limping down the tunnel at full-time, having earlier scored twice alongside Phil Foden.
Haaland’s double placed him on eight goals, three above both Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Chelsea’s Joao Pedro in the Golden Boot race, as he chases a fourth edition of the award in as many seasons to overtake the likes of Alan Shearer and Harry Kane.
Despite initial fears that Haaland would spend an extensive period on the sidelines, Maresca confirmed on Monday that Haaland “can be available” against AEK Athens in Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League battle on Tuesday.
The Italian made six changes to the City side that lost to Paris Saint-Germain last Wednesday, and granted starts to the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Ayyoub Bouddi and Iliman Ndiaye.
It is expected that Maresca will retain that process against AEK, who sit three places below City in the league phase table in 20th. The Greek side have won one and lost one in their opening two games.
Haaland is the number nine for now but Foden can play there if needed, says Maresca
While Haaland could be utilised against AEK, Maresca clearly understands the lesser demands of the game and could be willing to use a backup option in the striker role, especially because City face a tough test away against Aston Villa this upcoming weekend.
“He [Foden] played in the past in that position, so he can play there now again. But again, at the moment, the number nine is Erling,” Maresca said on the prospect of Foden playing upfront.
When asked further about his striker situation, the Manchester City manager added: “At the moment it’s Erling. Why do we need to think about a different number nine when Erling is there? If something happens and we need a different plan or different nine, we’ll see.”
Foden returned from a three-game suspension, picked up against Manchester United, and scored his first goal in 307 days, perhaps highlighting the start of a new beginning after frequent inconsistencies towards the end of Pep Guardiola tenure in east Manchester.
Are Man City starting to feel the consequences of failing to sign a backup striker in the summer?
For what was a hugely successful summer transfer window for Maresca, sporting director Hugo Viana and the club as a whole, maybe the only blemish was that City failed to bring a backup striker to the Etihad Stadium.
During a summer when Omar Marmoush, albeit on loan, left the club to join Tottenham Hotspur, it was expected that City would provide alternative options for Haaland, who remains the only native striker at Maresca’s disposal.
But despite looking into potential deals for Real Madrid star Yan Diomande and Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi before the end of the summer window, Manchester City couldn’t invest further after spending over £440 million.