Fresh from his World Cup exploits, Phil Foden’s journey from a Stockport sports centre to a match winning display on the grandest stage of all is considered, while Leroy Sane’s run of form also earns him some column inches.
The Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler has profiled the story behind the young Foden’s career so far and reveals that his two goals in Saturday’s U17 World Cup final come as no surprise to those who coached him before his arrival at the Club.
His first manager, Steve Williams, is quoted as saying: “It was so clear from that first session that he was something exceptional.
“He was without doubt the best talent I’ve ever seen.
“There were so many moments but two stand out. I remember him scoop-chipping the goalkeeper from six yards out. There were gasps on the touchline, people were so taken aback by it.
“The other was a tournament in Wales. We’d beaten everybody comfortably and in the final group game we played Phil at the back so he wouldn’t dominate so much.
“He got the ball from our keeper, beat their entire team and scored!”
Meanwhile, Saturday’s goal at West Brom was Sane’s fourth in five games and the German’s level of performance has not gone unnoticed in the press.
The Daily Mail were suitably impressed, with Laurie Whitwell writing: “Not only was his early goal an example of sharp thinking and precision technique but he stretched West Bromwich Albion’s backline right into the closing stages with purposeful running.
“After Fernandinho’s strike he also had a role in Sterling’s goal, exchanging quick passes with Kevin De Bruyne to tease apart a well-drilled defence that was then breached by Kyle Walker’s cross.
“It was another performance to enhance Sane’s growing influence in a team crowded by attacking flair, and he is still just 21-years-old.”
