Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 6y

Manchester City's Kyle Walker says Phil Foden ready to step in for Kevin De Bruyne

MANCHESTER -- Manchester City youngster Phil Foden is ready to make the step up if Kevin De Bruyne is ruled out for any length of time, according to teammate Kyle Walker.

The Belgium international is facing further tests after suffering a knee injury in training with fears that he could have suffered ligament damage that could rule him out for three months.

De Bruyne's loss will be a big blow for Pep Guardiola's side but could present an opportunity for 18-year-old Foden, who is already being talked about as a future England international.

"Kevin is a great player and it's just unfortunate that it's happened to him in training but there's more than enough depth in the squad at Manchester City," Walker said at the world premiere of All Or Nothing Manchester City, available on Amazon Prime from tomorrow. "We don't just rely on one player. It's a team game and whoever steps in will do well."

When asked about Foden, Walker added: "Phil's got a great attitude. He's a great player, and more importantly, I've said before, he's a great lad. He wants to learn and he's keen to listen.

"I've met a lot of young players throughout my career now who've kind of got a chip on their shoulder but he's definitely not one of them.

"He's one of those who wants to learn and I think he shows that in his performances -- he's keen, he's energetic, he's keeping people on their toes really."

City have already won the Community Shield and made the perfect start to their Premier League title defence with a 2-0 away win at Arsenal on Sunday.

But Walker says that Guardiola has been even more demanding at the start of their new campaign as they strive to become the first team to defend a title in a decade.

"There's been a big change. Obviously he's not striving for just one title and we're not as well -- we want more," he added.

"I don't want to sound big-headed but we want to dominate English football. I think we've got the players here, and we've definitely got the manager, to do that. So we need to keep listening.

"Every day is a learning day and you can always adjust to different tactics, adjust to different formations and that's something we need to take on collectively as a group -- that's the manager and the players -- that's to make sure that we can dominate the English game.

"I've not just signed here to pick up my first Premier League title and then say, 'OK, I'll rest on that.' I'm hungry for a lot more."

Liverpool have been picked by many to be City's biggest challengers, but Walker is refusing to write off anybody.

"There's a lot of challengers, there are a lot of good teams in the Premier League," he said. "Even, you look at Everton now, who have spent a lot of money in the transfer window, they're going to be tough competitors.

"We'll just see the Premier League is full of surprises. Leicester did it so why can't anyone else do it? We'll just have to see."

^ Back to Top ^