Paul Scholes contends that Phil Foden’s pure talent already places him as a ‘far superior footballer’ to Frank Lampard, following Foden’s outstanding performance in Manchester City’s 3-1 triumph over Manchester United.
Foden took control of Sunday’s Manchester derby after Marcus Rashford’s early 25-yard screamer put United ahead at the Etihad Stadium.
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The Manchester City attacking midfielder answered Rashford’s goal with a spectacular strike of his own in the second half before securing the lead for the Premier League champions with a composed finish past the impressive Andre Onana in the 80th minute.
Despite missing a clear chance in the first half, Erling Haaland sealed the victory for last year’s treble winners in stoppage time, bringing Pep Guardiola’s side within a point of league leaders Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s struggling United find themselves trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by 11 points in sixth position, facing a challenging task to secure Champions League qualification for the next season.
Discussing Foden’s derby heroics on Premier League Productions, Scholes said: ‘Look, he’s a better footballer than Frank Lampard but Frank Lampard scored goals and won leagues for his club from midfield.
‘You expect centre-forwards to do it. Haaland, you just expect his numbers, you expect Michael’s [Owen] numbers when the team is doing well.
‘But from a midfield point of view, you’ve really got to take the game by the scruff of the neck and say: “Right, I’m going to get us back into this game, I’m going to win us leagues, I’m going to win us games!”
‘I think Frank Lampard was like that and I think Phil Foden is starting to do that, goals-wise.
‘Look, Phil Foden is a much better footballer than Frank Lampard was, don’t get me wrong, but Frank won leagues for his team because of the contribution he made in midfield, in big games especially, and with Phil Foden I think we’re seeing the same type of thing.’
Speaking after the final whistle, Guardiola declared that Foden was the best player in the Premier League on current form.
‘It is the amount of games he is playing. He was always a talented player but now he is more mature and understands more the game, especially defensively,’ the City head coach told BBC Sport.
‘He can play middle, right, make moments and cut inside, play in the left, scoring from the left. What can I say?
‘He is the best player in the Premier League right now for the amount of things he does. Unbelievable.’
