Foden by Matt & Tom Oldfield

Author:Matt & Tom Oldfield
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Templar

CHAPTER 14

A PROPER PREMIER

LEAGUE PLAYER NOW

But how long would Phil have to wait for a proper chance at City? Between December 2018 and February 2019, he was permitted fewer than twenty minutes playing in the Premier League, and he was left on the bench as City won the League Cup final against Chelsea.

‘There’s no rush – you’re still only eighteen,’ Phil kept telling himself but he was desperate to play.

In early April, his patience and progress were finally rewarded. With a Champions League quarter-final coming up, Guardiola decided to rest the two Silvas for their Premier League match against Cardiff City. That left a space alongside Fernandinho and Kevin in midfield, a Phil-sized pocket of space.

At last, his first Premier League start! With a proud smile on his face, Phil walked out onto the Etihad pitch and tried to enjoy every single touch. He was living his dream and he wanted to be on the ball as much as possible. Pass and move, pass and move, tackles, interceptions, skilful dribbles, and lots of shots – it was another all-action performance from ‘The Stockport Iniesta’.

Early in the second half, Phil burst into the box past the Cardiff defence, but the keeper rushed out and blocked his shot. So close!

Moments later, Leroy Sané whipped in a dangerous corner and Phil reacted brilliantly to volley the ball goalwards, but it crashed back off the post. So unlucky!

With his hands on his head and his mouth open wide, Phil turned away in disbelief. Never mind, the most important things were that City had won and he had made a fantastic full Premier League debut. Another dream achieved! Onto the next one…

Pep was so impressed with Phil’s performance that he picked him to start again two weeks later in one of City’s biggest battles of the season. With four games to go, they were just one point above Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. Every match was a must-win now, especially this one against Tottenham, the team who only three days earlier had knocked them out of the Champions League.

It was a chance for City to get instant revenge, and they came out flying right from kick-off. In the fifth minute, Bernardo cut inside off the right wing and chipped a high cross towards Sergio at the back post. The angle was too tight for him to try and score himself, so instead Sergio headed it back across the six-yard box to… Phil! He had cleverly drifted into space between the Tottenham centre-backs and he threw himself forward towards the ball, meeting it with a diving header. 1–0!

Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As he landed face-first in the net, Phil heard the Etihad Stadium erupt all around him. He had done it; with his first-ever Premier League goal, he had just given City the lead in a very important game! In a flash, he picked himself up and raced over to celebrate with Sergio and Bernardo.

‘Come onnnnnnnnn!’ Phil roared, punching the air with passion. In that amazing moment, he felt absolutely invincible.

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