Phil Foden will replace David Silva, 'we don't have to invest' - Guardiola tells Man City Board

Manchester City English pro midfielder Phil Foden celebrates after sealing The Citizens' 5 - 0 victory over Burnley in their English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium with the fifth goal (his second goal in the match). Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola does not see the need to sign a replacement for David Silva due to the development of Phil Foden, a player he says will be important for Manchester City for the next decade.


Foden put in a man-of-the-match display in City's 5-0 hammering of Burnley on Monday, scoring twice and providing a fine pass in the build-up to a goal from Silva.

Spain midfielder and City great Silva is to leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of 2019-20 after 10 trophy-laden seasons.

City boss Guardiola says Foden – who has three goals in two games since the Premier League restarted following the coronavirus break – is showing all the signs he is ready to fill the sizeable void left by Silva.

"When David said it was his last year, I told the board we have Phil, so we don't have to invest," Guardiola said in a quote reported by BBC Sport.

Guardiola later added at a news conference: "[For] David [Silva] it is difficult to find a replacement like him and what he has done for this club.

"For the people from Abu Dhabi [City's owners] who have made investments in good players like Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio [Aguero], Yaya Toure, many of these players, David as well, have helped us to be who we are as a team, as a club.

"So, it's difficult to find a replacement, but of course you have a young Manchester City fan [Foden] who every time he plays, he has something unique: his passion.

"He gives his passion to all of us in the way he trains and his love of football and every time he plays, he plays good.

"He's a guy who plays box-to-box and his sense for the goal is incredible and in the next decade, 15 years, he will be an outstanding player for us, for this amazing club. I have no doubts."