David Beckham has expressed his admiration for a standout player from Manchester City. As a former defender who played 724 times for prominent clubs like Manchester United, AC Milan, and Real Madrid, Beckham understands what it takes to excel at the highest level of football.
Now, with Manchester City having won as many Premier League titles in the last seven years as Beckham did with United from 1995 to 2003, the owner of Inter Miami has singled out a player from Pep Guardiola’s squad that he genuinely admires.
In a recent video posted on the BBC Sport TikTok channel, Beckham and his former Manchester United teammate, Gary Neville, were asked to compare players from United’s legendary 1999 team with those from Guardiola’s current City team.
During this conversation, Neville chose to compare United’s former top scorer Dwight Yorke with City’s Phil Foden. While Neville expressed his preference for Yorke, Beckham’s response highlighted his fondness for Foden.
Beckham stated, “I’d go Yorkey too. Still, I love Phil, I really do. I love how much he cares about the club.” This admiration for Foden stems from the player’s deep connection with Manchester City, having risen through the club’s youth ranks to become a key figure in the senior team.
Known as a hometown hero, Foden started his journey with City as a youth player and made his professional debut in 2017 during a Champions League match against Feyenoord, which City won 1-0.
Since then, Foden has made 269 appearances for City in all competitions, scoring 87 goals and providing 52 assists. His contributions on the field have not gone unnoticed, as he recently won the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award.
Beckham’s comments on Foden reflect his recognition of the midfielder’s talent and dedication. He emphasized the significance of Foden’s achievements, not just for himself but also as a testament to Manchester City’s youth program.
Beckham noted, “We should follow his lead. We try to get the other guys to follow him.” He added, “Of course, it’s an award for him and his teammates, but I think it’s also an award for Manchester City’s youth program. He stands for all of that.” Beckham’s praise underscores Foden’s embodiment of the qualities that City’s youth program aims to instill—professionalism, a passion for football, and an understanding of the team’s playing philosophy.
Foden’s connection to Manchester City and his success on the field resonate with Beckham, who appreciates the player’s loyalty and talent.
As a player from Stockport who has remained committed to his childhood club, Foden represents the ideal blend of local pride and professional excellence. Beckham’s admiration for Foden highlights the player’s significant impact on the team and his potential to inspire future generations of footballers.
