Manchester City stalwart Phil Foden should get into Pep Guardiola's starting XI "every single time" if he is performing at a decent level, according to a Sky Blues legend.
The Citizens are a matter of hours away from kicking off their Premier League campaign away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening, where the Guardiola will have an embarrassment of riches to select from in attack.
The only guarantee in the final third may be two-time Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland leading the line, as all of Omar Marmoush, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Bernardo Silva are battling to line up behind the Scandinavian sensation.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb are vying for starts out wide while Savinho misses out with an unspecified injury, and when asked by Sports Mole to name his perfect City front four, club legend Richard Dunne insisted that Foden would be included on every occasion.
Foden gets into City XI "every single time" as Guardiola sent firm message
Manchester City's Phil Foden in action on January 14, 2025
“I think playing well, Phil Foden gets in every single time," Dunne replied. "I think Marmoush will get in, Haaland and Cherki would be the four. Savinho and Doku had opportunities last year, probably never nailed down the position."
However, the former Republic of Ireland defender also warned Foden and the rest of City's supporting cast that their output in front of goal must improve, adding: “The options are numerous.
"I don't think Savinho and Doku got enough goals last season. I think that's what they'll be looking for this year, whether it be Cherki and Foden or Marmoush, they need to contribute with a few more goals this season.”
A praiseworthy Club World Cup campaign saw Foden register three goals and one assist in four games in the USA, and his Citizens side now seek an emphatic response to Liverpool's opening Premier League success on Friday night.
The reigning champions made up for defensive deficiencies in the final third with a 4-2 beating of Bournemouth, as four separate attackers in Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah all found the back of the net at Anfield, where Florian Wirtz also made his Premier League debut.
Is City's attacking squad depth the best in the Premier League?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on August 9, 2025
Arsenal and Chelsea could also unleash new-look attacks when they face Manchester United and Crystal Palace respectively on Sunday, but speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, Man City legend Richard Dunne claimed that City's final-third options could prove as devastating as any of their rivals'.
Asked if City's attacking squad depth is the best in the league, Dunne replied: “I'm not sure. I think Liverpool's attack now looks vibrant, Chelsea have probably 20 players that can play in the attacking position! They've got so many. Arsenal have strengthened this year as well.
"So City have the number and the quality almost as much as anyone else in the Premier League. But it's just about form and who's in form and who's at the start of the season.
“On any given day, any of those top four teams can destroy an opposition. And if they hit the ground running, City's front-line and front-line options are as good as anyone's in the Premier League.”
Foden has been passed fit for the clash with Wolves after a recent blow to the ankle, which prevented the Englishman from turning out in his side's 3-0 friendly win over Palermo.
Richard Dunne was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet online betting in Ireland.
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