Fans’ opinions are split after watching warm-up footage of Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki ahead of Manchester City’s 6-0 win over Al Ain on Monday.
Foden, 25, and Cherki, 21, both made substitute appearances during Man City’s win at the Club World Cup.
It was a routine win for Pep Guardiola’s side as Ilkay Gundogan, Claudio Echeverri, Erling Haaland, Oscar Bobb, and Cherki got on the scoresheet in Atlanta.
But it was footage from the warm-up ahead of the fixture that got fans talking.
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Foden appeared to pull out several tricks while Cherki cut a more low-key figure and cooly juggled the ball.
Some fans think Foden was trying to prove a point, while others leapt to his defence.
One said: “You can feel Foden’s insecurity through the screen, just calm down pal.”
Another added: “Yeah Foden is the most hated player in the league… WTF are the quotes? S**t like this is why I need him to explode this season.”
A third claimed: “This fanbase is too toxic man. He literally does it so much why are people so pressed??”
While a fourth commented: “2024 Premier League player of the season is trying to impress a 21-year-old player from Lyon.”
A fifth explained: "Nah, but Foden is actually so gifted. It’s crazy."
Of course, comparisons between Cherki and Foden will be made throughout the 2025/26 campaign due to the fact that they play in similar attacking positions behind the striker, although both men can also contribute from wide positions. Foden endured a poor 2024/25 campaign by his high standards and will, no doubt, look to return to his old ways.
"A new season, fresh me," Foden told Channel 5 last week. "Looking forward to the season now.
"[The tournament is] very important, not just for me, but all the players. It is important to get your sharpness now in this big competition.
"Playing for a club like City, there are expectations to perform in every game. I've been used to that pressure. Last season was a bit rough for all of us, but it is about going again this season."
As for Cherki, he comes with a fine reputation but has never really proven his worth at the highest level despite impressing for Lyon in recent seasons.
Manchester City will return to action on June 26 when they face Juventus at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Topics: Phil Foden, Manchester City, Football, Fan Reactions
Luke Davies