Chelsea legend, Mikel Obi has urged Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola to stick with Phil Foden as the number 10 for the team following the departure of Kelvin de Bruyne, Softfootball reports.
Foden scored a brace as Manchester City beat Fulham 5-4 at Craven Cottage in the Match-Day 14 of the Premier league to take them within two points of league leaders Arsenal, who have an outstanding match tonight against Brentford.
The 25-year-old struggled with form and injuries last season but he is currently on fire and has scored four goals in his last two matches for the Cityzens and Guardiola wants Foden to stay at Manchester City.
Mikel in his chat on ObiOne’s official podcast believes that Foden’s form improved this season because he has been deployed in his favourite position. He said:
The man who’s come back to form, the man who’s playing right now, like the Phi Foden that we all know. Playing in his favourite position. The Phil Foden that has that first touch, that has that first start, that likes to play in that pocket. When he plays there, he likes to create chances, that’s his game and that’s the way he wants to play.
Mikel says with the departure of Kelvin de Bruyne, the number 10 role should be solely for Phil Foden. He added:
With Kelvin de Bruyne gone now, that’s his position. And I hate when Pep Guardiola plays him on the right because you can’t get the best out of Phil. Play him in the middle where he likes to play, where he can create chances, where he likes to get on the ball and create chances and feed Haaland. That’s where, he loves to play. I know Pep sometimes wants to accommodate Bernando Silva but no! You don’t get the best out of Phil when you play him on the wing. I think, he is a fantastic young player.
Here is the full video of Mikel’s interview as posted by ObiOne’s official podcast. Watch Below.
🙏🏿 ‘HE’S BACK!’
And it’s not good news for fans of 🔵 @ChelseaFC or 🔴 @Arsenal! 👀
Could this man be the difference in the title race? 🧐
📺 Full episode: https://t.co/TRBiNLZswU pic.twitter.com/JkMFDRDqxp
— The Obi One Podcast (@obionepodcast) December 2, 2025Manchester City will host Sunday in their next premier league match at the Etihad on Saturday.
