Friday 27 October 2017 22:33, UK
Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden is a "special player" and insists he will do all he can to help the youngster fulfil his potential at Manchester City.
Foden has caught the eye with a string of impressive performances at the U17 World Cup in India, and the 17-year-old midfielder is expected to start for England against Spain in the final on Saturday.
Guardiola has been keeping a keen eye on a number of the club's youngsters at the tournament and the former Barcelona boss has high hopes for Foden, who has trained alongside City's senior squad throughout this season.
"He is a special player," said Guardiola. "The national team played him as a winger and even in that position he played good.
"It is always dangerous to speak good things about the young players because they are still young and they have to grow and learn many, many things.
"I think at the World Cup he has learnt a lot. We have a lot of confidence to help him because we believe he is a guy who has potential.
"Even if he is not that strong, tall, or something like that, he has good potential to be helped."
England progressed to the final of the World Cup courtesy of an impressive 3-1 win over Brazil in the semi-finals, in which Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster scored his second hat-trick in as many games.
Three Manchester City players started the semi-final; Curtis Anderson, Joel Latibeaudiere and Foden, and Guardiola is pleased to see his English youngsters succeeding at international level.
"We are so happy for the players," said Guardiola. "It's so good for English football. Big congratulations for the team. It is not just the U17s - it is also the U20s. For them to be in a final is fantastic.
"They are playing in a final with Spain, who have dominated European football in many categories.
"It is going to be a really good final. Spain are a great team. They have been working hard in recent years to develop players.
"It will be a hard game for England but they will be excited to try and win this type of competition for the first time. I expect it will be an equal final."
