Pep Guardiola once again showered Man City's young promise Phil Foden with praise. The coach says he is the only "untouchable" player in the team, but the man who came through the club's academy is still struggling to get a place in the side. In fact, he has played the second least amount of games out of all of those in the squad.
The Man City coach seems to be aware of Phil Foden's potential, but does still not think he is ready to perform at the top level. Either that or he wants to protect him from excessive praise.
So far this season, Foden has just 101 minutes to his name spread across four games. Of all the players in the squad, only Leroy Sane has played less and that is because he has a long term injury.
Despite everything, Guardiola speaks highly of him: "We did not give him a new contract by accident. He is the only footballer who cannot be sold under any circumstances, the only one. Not even for 500 million. He's not going anywhere because he is Manchester City." Months ago, he ended up calling him the "player with the most talent" he has seen in his career. That despite coaching legends like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta.
Maybe his like of game time is because of captain David Silva's presence on the pitch: "We know that he will be our new magician when Silva leaves. We will not sign anyone in his place and he will be brilliant. I don't like leaving him out of some matches, but I must think about the team."
Although it is clear that Guardiola is a big fan of Foden, the City man is starting to get frustrated at his lack of opportunities. Recently, he asked whether Guardiola "was on holiday playing golf" after shining for England U21.