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David Silva Names Phil Foden As Man To Replace Him At Manchester City

David Silva Names Phil Foden As Man To Replace Him At Manchester City

The midfielder revealed on Tuesday night that he will leave the Premier League champions after a decade playing in England.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

David Silva confirmed on Tuesday night that he will be leaving Manchester City at the end of next season and the Spanish midfielder has also named Phil Foden as his heir apparent.

For the past nine years David Silva has been performing magic on football pitches up and down the Premier League but that won't go further than 10 years, with the Manchester City midfielder revealing next season will be his last in England.

David Silva goe to hug the man who will take over from him. Image: PA Images
David Silva goe to hug the man who will take over from him. Image: PA Images

Pep Guardiola will still have Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva in his squad after next season but former Valencia man Silva thinks it'll be City youngster Phil Foden who steps into his place.

Talk about the 19-year-old, at the press conference where he announced he'll be leaving, Silva said, "I'm sure he's going to be a fantastic player. He's a very nice man and he will be a good replacement for me.

"Apart from his natural skills, he's a very competitive person. He always wants to win and that makes a very good footballer.

"When you're young, you always ask people with experience. I've given him lots of advice, like how to move on the pitch. He's taken the information in and he's getting better day by day.

"He reminds me of myself when I was young - especially how he is as a person. He's very quiet but always there, competing. He hates losing.

"The best advice I can give him is always stay calm. Whatever happens in football, the highs and lows, always keep calm."

The teenager has won many plaudits from Pep Guardiola, pundits and fans but only started three Premier League games last season.

Foden played 25 games for City in all competitions last season and will likely get more football next season as he continues to develop.

The Manchester born midfielder first caught the eye for his performances in England under 17s World Cup win in 2017, where he won the Golden Ball for being the best player at the tournament.

Foden impressed in Italy. Image: PA Images
Foden impressed in Italy. Image: PA Images

He scored in the under 21 Euros opener against France for England but that game ended with a last minute winner for France.

Aidy Boothroyd then left the Premier League winner out of the starting line up against Romania as the Three Lions lost and got knocked out of the tournament with a game to spare.

He returned to the XI for the dead rubber against Croatia as England took the lead on three occasions but were unable to keep hold of it and could only draw 3-3.

If Foden has half the career that Silva's managed then he'll have had a good career.

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Topics: Manchester City, Phil Foden, valencia, Football News, David Silva, Las Palmas, Premier League, Bernardo Silva, Kevin de Bruyne, Spain