Winless in their last two games in all competitions, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City head into Sunday's FA Cup quarter final tie with AFC Bournemouth worrying that another poor result could be on the cards.
If the Citizens were to crash out of the esteemed competition at the hands of Andoni Iraola's Cherries, the season would have to be written off as a definite disaster with no trophy coming City's way, alongside a Premier League collapse that could still see the damaged outfit finish out of the top four.
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Guardiola will be looking ahead to City's near future with caution, therefore, knowing that the old guard at his disposal are no longer at their dynamic best, as Phil Foden continues to see his career unfortunately fall by the wayside.
The numbers behind Phil Foden's poor form for club and country
Foden was once viewed as one of English football's brightest shining gems, with Guardiola just last year labelling the Stockport-born ace as "world-class."
The Spaniard's words weren't hyperbole either as Foden collected a hefty 27 strikes for his side in all competitions last season, culminating in the 24-year-old picking up the PFA Player of the Year accolade.
Six Premier League titles down at the Etihad too, it's undeniable that Foden is seen as a modern day great to the sky blue half of Manchester, even if his performances this campaign have exposed an attacker that's low on confidence.
Foden's weaknesses as an attacker have notably come to the forefront whenever he pulls on England white, with the 24-year-old only boasting four strikes for the senior side from 44 caps, next to his 97 goals lining up in Manchester.
Phil Foden for England
Despite his poor form, he was included in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad and started the game against Albania last Friday, only to attract criticism from the new manager after a game in which he failed to have a shot, make a key pass or complete a dribble.
With no goal contributions in the Premier League since January also holding him back, his once-concrete first-team spot has been regularly filled by Savinho, with an exciting youngster now fancying his chances at breaking into the senior side subsequently.
Man City's new "superstar" could replace Foden
It's not just Savinho that has benefitted from the 54-year-old taking risks with his team selections, seen in the emergence of 21-year-old gem Abdukodir Khusanov defensively.
Therefore, new signing Claudio Echeverri will fancy his chances at breaking into the first team picture having arrived only a few weeks ago. Tthe 19-year-old cost City £12.5m to obtain back in early 2024 before being loaned straight back to his native Argentina to continue his development.
This looks to have been the right decision on City's end with Echeverri scoring stunners on a regular basis back at Enzo Francescoli's side.
In total, the teenage sensation - who has been noted as possessing an "exceptional" first touch by football journalist Juan Carlos Pasman - has notched up a promising four goals and eight assists lining up for Los Millonarios, with his ability to line up as a number ten or as a winger making him an an obvious replacement down the line for a waning Foden.
Echeverri's G/A record for River Plate
Position played
CAM
LW
RW
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Echeverri isn't the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, but City's blessed track record with buys from Argentina in the past stands the 19-year-old in good stead to become a rip-roaring success in England, with Guardiola working wonders when Sergio Aguero and Julian Alvarez entered the building.
Foden won't be written off completely, with an assist on international duty with England demonstrating his ability to fashion a chance at a moment's notice, but the "future superstar" - as he has been labelled by football analyst Ben Mattinson - will surely be utilised by Guardiola when he leaves South America for good.
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It does feel as if City are on the brink of a new dawn at the Etihad, with some tweaks here and there perhaps opening up a chance for Echeverri to be a revelation in Manchester.
Rodri-Man-City Related
[Perfect Rodri replacement: Man City have already sold "an elite number 6"](https://www.footballfancast.com/man-city-starlet-romeo-lavia-would-be-an-elite-rodri-replacement/ "Perfect Rodri replacement: Man City have already sold "an elite number 6"")
Man City sold a player in 2022 who'd be an excellent Rodri replacement.