Journalist shares ‘no choice’ injury news update ahead of West Ham United v Man City
Manchester City will have to play Phil Foden in midfield against West Ham following the injuries to their side ahead of the game on Saturday (16 September), according to Joe Bray.
Writing on the Manchester Evening News website on Friday (15 September), the journalist said there will be “no choice” other than to play the England international in what he feels is his “best position” in midfield at the London Stadium.
He added that this is due to John Stones and Jack Grealish looking unlikely to return to the Citizens’ side, with Mateo Kovacic also believed to be a doubt and Kevin De Bruyne already out through injury.
“That leaves Phil Foden, whose position has been the subject of plenty of discussion after Gareth Southgate refused to commit to playing him centrally because he doesn’t play there for City – and there ‘must be a reason’ for that,” said Bray.
“There might be no option but to play Foden in midfield on Saturday at West Ham, assuming Guardiola doesn’t want to start Nunes or Phillips. At the very least, Foden will be selected on the right with Bernardo deeper in the middle.
“Foden described that position drifting in off the right into the dual number 10 system next to Alvarez as his favourite, and one he feels ‘alive’ in. He has looked good there this season, even if Southgate is reluctant to replicate that system.”
Adaptable
It’s pretty fair to say that Foden will likely be a handful wherever he plays because he has shown over the years that he is an extremely adaptable player.
His position has been a hot topic of debate recently, but from a West Ham perspective, the best place for him would be as far away from the goal as possible.
The Hammers’ defenders will have a tough job on their hands trying to keep him quiet as well as his teammate Erling Haaland, who will be looking to get on the scoresheet again.
The injuries Man City are currently trying to contend with are a bonus for the Irons as it’s likely some key players will be missing, but they do have incredible strength in depth.
Although it’s going to be a tough challenge for us, the players should be full of confidence heading into this one following our strong start to the season.
In other West Ham news, one star has raged about a player who has been linked with a move to the London Stadium.