Speaking before the news that Phil Foden has reached an agreement in principle over a new four-year deal at Manchester City, Manchester United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney delivered a ringing endorsement of the attacker.
The 25-year-old has struggled for form in recent months and has not scored since 14 December, but has made 365 appearances for City, winning six Premier League titles, one Champions League and two FA Cups, since making his debut at 17.
He came on as a substitute in Monday's six-goal thriller at Everton, which leaves City five points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.
"Foden has to play every game for me," Rooney said on BBC Sounds' The Wayne Rooney Show.
"I think you have to put him in the team. I've been big on this with Phil Foden – I love watching him play.
"I love his little movements, I love how he gets into pockets of space. It's not nice watching him sitting on the bench and I think he has to play every game.
"I know you've got Cherki and Semenyo who has come in and Doku who is a breath of fresh air as well – he's incredible. But, I think you just have to play Foden.
"When you're in Manchester you hear different things on players. I was the same – people will have heard things on me when I was playing. But, it's very rarely with Foden. So, I couldn't tell you if there is something going on behind the scenes, but I think think he's come throught he academy, battled to get to the first team, won six Premier League titles – it's incredible.
"To see him sat on the bench, even for Man City, is not nice to watch. Then you see foreign lads coming in and getting opportunities ahead of him. When De Bruyne went I thought, 'put him in there and leave him in there'.
"I think he was doing well [this season]. He's had bad moments, but when you have a bad moment and you're taken out and put on the sidelines for weeks on end, I just think a player of that quality, you have to just keep playing him."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
How do you feel about Foden’s new deal? How do Man City get more from him?
