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Man City transfer news: Pep Guardiola gives EMPHATIC update on Phil Foden future
MANCHESTER CITY will not loan out Phil Foden during the January transfer window.
Man City: Guardiola shuts down rumours of Foden loan move
When asked about the youngster possibly leaving the Etihad this month, Pep Guardiola was emphatic in saying the midfielder is going nowhere.
Foden netted for the first time at home in the 7-0 win over Rotherham in the FA Cup third round yesterday.
But the 18-year-old has struggled in general this season for first-team football under Guardiola.
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Despite that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is desperate to keep Foden at the club and not send him out on loan.
Guardiola said: "Phil Foden loan? No way! No way, impossible.
"He's going to stay with us many, many years. Impossible. Believe me, if he plays, it's because we believe he can play.
"We are not here to be nice people to bring him on the pitch because he's a Manchester City fan or is a nice guy. It's because we believe he can do it.
"He's made mistakes and done good things - that's part of the process. Nobody was born knowing everything."
City have lost Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz in recent times due to lack of playing time.
But Guardiola’s comments suggest Foden will receive more opportunities moving forward.
City will find out their next opponents in the FA Cup when the draw takes place this evening.
Guardiola’s side are embroiled in a Premier League title race with Liverpool and former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is backing the Reds.
"Klopp has turned Liverpool into an absolute fighting machine – both attacking and defending," he told the Mirror.
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"So, if I was to put my money on one club for the league, it would be Liverpool.
"Liverpool’s team is not based on the highest quality when it comes to their players. In fact, the highest quality players are at City. But, at the same time, that is the weakness in Guardiola. He only coaches his teams in an attacking way. Always.
"The moment his team have to defend, they look terrible. Liverpool have a team that can defend much better. That’s because Klopp has trained them to be a fighting force, whether they have the ball or not. That’s exactly what is lacking in Guardiola’s team now.
"City have fabulous football ideas and a sparkling way of playing – but not the right fighting spirit. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to watch the way City play. But the way Klopp makes Liverpool play is absolutely fantastic."