Pep Guardiola mentioned he might still play Phil Foden as a winger, even if Thomas Tuchel sees him mainly as a central player for England.

Tuchel thinks Foden is best as a No. 10 or a false nine. Guardiola agrees that Foden shines in the middle but noted he can still score goals starting from the wing. Guardiola says Foden is willing to play as a winger when needed.

Foden scored twice in City’s 3-2 victory over Leeds. He is City’s second-highest scorer this season, with six goals in all competitions. That's more than wingers like Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Oscar Bobb have scored combined.

Guardiola said, “I agree with Thomas. I prefer Phil close to the box, behind the striker. Players with a nose for goal need to be near the goal. He can play wide with another player inside, but I like him in central positions.

“Savio, Jeremy, and even Oscar have qualities as wingers that the other three [central players] don't. I like players who arrive and have the feeling they can score. Top teams have many players who score. If only Erling Haaland scores, we’re in trouble.”

Guardiola thinks Foden is back to his 2023-24 form, when he scored 27 goals and was named Footballer of the Year. He also said that managing Foden is a joy.

He added, “This season, Phil is back to his best. When he first trained with us at 16 or 17, we were amazed. He’s improved every year.

“He was the league's best player two years ago when we won the Premier League against West Ham. Last season was similar to the team’s overall performance.

“Phil’s growth is great for many reasons. It’s a joy and a gift to have him.

“He’s happy and eager. If I tell him, ‘Phil, you need to play here,’ even in a position that doesn’t suit him, like on the right or left wing, he’ll say, ‘I want to play right or left. I want to help the team. I want to run.

According to a recent report in The Daily Mail, Manchester City is interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. Word is, the Manchester club might try to bring the English player to Etihad Stadium next year.

Anderson is playing well this season, putting up some nice performances for Nottingham in the middle of the field. So far, the 23-year-old has one goal and one assist in 16 games for the club in all competitions.

He has done a good job protecting the defence, with 33 tackles, 20 blocks, 12 interceptions, and 12 clearances in the Premier League. He has also been accurate with his passing, completing 83.2% of his passes in the league (stats via fbref.com).

His contract with Nottingham Forest runs through the summer of 2029, so Man City will need to make a good offer if they really want to sign him next year.

Is Anderson a Smart Move for Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola?

Anderson has a lot of energy in the midfield. He likes to tackle and can make important interceptions.

He will also clear the ball when needed. Anderson mainly plays as a box-to-box midfielder, but he can also play as a number ten or as a left-winger. With his Premier League experience, he should not need much time to settle in at Man City.

Anderson would definitely add quality to Guardiola’s midfield. He has the potential to compete for a starting spot at the Etihad Stadium in the years to come.

At 23, Anderson’s best years are ahead of him, making him a solid choice for Man City in the future. He is already good enough to help them compete on all fronts. Guardiola should seriously consider trying to sign him this winter or at the end of the season.