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Southampton snapping up this England U21 dynamo on loan would be a colossal statement of intent

Why Southampton should make a loan offer to Man City for Phil Foden

According to West Ham and Everton legend Tony Cottee, Phil Foden should leave Manchester City on loan in January as he is ‘not learning anything on the bench’. (h/t talkSPORT)

Phil Foden, 19, has featured in two matches so far this term but both were substitute appearances and summed to just 11 minutes on the pitch.

The midfielder scored twice for England’s U21s in their 2-0 win against Kosovo earlier this week and Manchester City would not be shy of suitors should they opt to get him more game time elsewhere.

The teenage prodigy’s form will have given Pep Guardiola a selection headache, with pressure mounting on the City boss to give him more game time.

Foden is viewed as David Silva’s long-term successor but he needs to play at this age, get experience and develop, which is certainly not happening at the moment. The wise thing will be for Guardiola is to allow the Under-21 England international leave City on loan.

Southampton should revive their interest in Foden as they were one of the clubs whose loan offer was rejected by City in January last season. (h/t The Irish Sun)

Ralph Hasenhuttl has been a promoter of youth and that can be very well seen by the team he is building at Southampton.

The likes of Yan Valery, Jan Bednarek, Che Adams, Angus Gunn and Michael Obafemi are all young players hoping to shine and develop under the watchful eyes of Hasenhuttl.

Since the Austrian’s arrival at the south coast, the Saints have been on the up and have given teams a tough time, especially at the St. Mary’s. But Hasenhuttl’s side needs more quality in the midfield and attack if they are to avoid another relegation dogfight.

The winter transfer window would offer Hasenhuttl a chance to beef up his squad and he must prioritise signing Phil Foden on loan.

Foden is one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League, although he hasn’t played as much as he should have for City in the last couple of seasons.

Having won the Golden Ball as the best player in England’s U-17 World Cup victory in 2017, he truly possesses the requisite talent to emerge as one among the next generation’s truly special players.

The England youth international may go on to succeed David Silva at the Etihad but currently, he needs regular game time and Southampton could provide that.

In Foden, Hasenhuttl would get an exceptionally talented left-footed midfielder with a silky touch, incredible eye for passing the ball, and boundless creativity.

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The 19-year-old could walk into Southampton’s midfield and cement his place, owing to his technical skills and vision. He has the passing range to unlock opposition defences which should help the Saints’ willing runners like Che Adams and Nathan Redmond score more goals.

Verdict

At just 19, Foden is already making waves because he is a special talent. And such a talented youngster needs to play regularly. Thus, a short loan spell at Southampton would make a lot of sense.