Man City star Phil Foden names his toughest opponent

Phil Foden has embarrassed some of the best defenders in world football while playing for Manchester City and England, but he's now revealed the toughest opponent he's ever faced.

Foden has enjoyed an extraordinary rise since Pep Guardiola handed him his senior City debut in 2017.

The 23-year-old attacker now has five Premier League winners' medals in his collection, and was a key part of the City side that won a historic treble -

including a maiden Champions League triumph - last season.

At home and in Europe, he's gone toe-to-toe with some of the finest full-backs around. But in a recent interview, Foden admitted that he sees the toughest full-back opponent he's faced on a fairly regular basis.

I’ve just finished a Q+A with the lovely Phil Foden & he said the toughest full-back he’s ever played against is Reece James. #MCFC #CFC

— Olivia Buzaglo (@OliviaBuzaglo) November 8, 2023

In a recent Q&A with presenter and journalist Olivia Buzaglo, Foden revealed that Chelsea's Reece James is the best full-back he's ever come up against.

Foden and James know one other well from the Premier League battles between City and Chelsea in recent years, but there rivalry goes back much further than that.

There is a famous photo of Foden shielding the ball from James, only the pair are much younger.

Judging from the kits they are wearing the photo was taken during the 2013/14 season, when the pair would have been 13 or 14 years old.

Reece James & Phil Foden in 2013! pic.twitter.com/wit7De2aN4

— Chris Wright 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@chriswrightzz) November 8, 2023

Foden and James will once again go head-to-head on Sunday when Chelsea host Premier League champions City at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have endured a poor start to the season but will look to build on a 4-1 win against Tottenham earlier this week.

City will look to solidify their lead at the top of the table after Tottenham lost to Wolves on Saturday.

Foden and James are familiar with one another from international duty with England too, although James hasn't been part of Gareth Southgate's set-up much this year.

The Chelsea man has only featured for England once this year after he missed the 2022 World Cup through injury.

The full-back has recently returned from a hamstring injury but turned down a call-up to the England squad for upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.