MAN CITY DIAMOND: PHIL FODEN, COOKE SPOTTED BROWSING ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Man City's Phil Foden sparks engagement rumours after being seen ring shopping with longtime girlfriend Rebecca Cooke. The couple has been together since their teens.
It looks like Manchester City's Phil Foden might be getting married! He was recently seen shopping for rings with his girlfriend, Rebecca Cooke, sparking rumours that they're about to tie the knot.
The buzz started earlier this year after they returned from a trip. Rebecca was seen wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring when they visited a jewellery store in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
Phil and Rebecca have been together since they were teenagers and already have three kids. Talk of their engagement popped up in February when Rebecca was spotted with a diamond ring after a New Year's Eve vacation in Paris. Though they haven't made an official announcement, their recent trip to the jewellery store seems like a confirmation.
A source mentioned in February that they decided to get married after their trip to France. The source says that everybody thought that Phil would propose because they had been together since they were young. After their New Year's trip, Rebecca came back with a huge diamond ring on her finger. Everyone is excited for the announcement soon, and a big wedding with football players, celebrities, and WAGs is expected.
Even with all this going on in his personal life, Foden's game doesn't seem to be suffering. He even sold his eight-bedroom mansion in Cheshire for less than he wanted, moving to a place in the countryside with Rebecca. The house had been a source of issues, with neighbours complaining about loud parties.
Despite the stress of moving, Foden seems to be doing well on the field. After not playing his best last year, he seems to be enjoying the game again. He mentioned that he is happy after a tough year, and the England manager has promised him that he will have a spot on the team.
What's next for Foden? There are still some questions about the next World Cup. Foden needs to separate his personal life from his play on the field. His season continues Saturday as City plays Leeds.
PHIL FODEN'S GOAL SENSE: WHY PEP PLAYS HIM WIDE DESPITE CENTRAL PREFERENCE
Pep Guardiola agrees with Thomas Tuchel that Phil Foden excels centrally, but says he must play wide for Man City due to his crucial goal-scoring instincts.
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.
MAN CITY TARGETS FOREST MIDFIELDER ELLIOT ANDERSON IN TRANSFER RAID
Manchester City is reportedly interested in signing Nottingham Forest's dynamic midfielder Elliot Anderson next year. The 23-year-old would add quality to Guardiola's midfield.
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.