Pep Guardiola reveals he refused to stop Manchester City wonderkid Phil Foden playing in U17 World Cup run: 'It will be really good for his growth'
- Phil Foden has starred for England Under 17 at the World Cup finals in India
- Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said the youngster asked for his permission
- Guardiola believes it is a great experience and will help Foden's development
- England will face Spain in the Under 17 World Cup final on Saturday
Pep Guardiola has revealed Manchester City had the option of keeping Phil Foden in England but the manager wanted the starlet to show his potential at the Under 17 World Cup.
Foden has been in superb form in the competition in India and will play for England in Saturday's final against Spain.
The midfielder's former City team-mate Jadon Sancho was withdrawn from the squad ahead of their last-16 clash at the last minute by Borussia Dortmund.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola gave Phil Foden his blessing to go to the World Cup
City boss Guardiola believes the experience will be good for the youngster's development but did have the option of playing him in the Carabao Cup instead.
Ahead of the side's Premier League fixture against West Brom, he said: 'He asked me because we had the opportunity for him to stay here with us and maybe play against Wolves (in the Carabao Cup).
'But we believe that when these guys have the opportunity to play a World Cup against Brazil, Spain, Italy in India, for them it is an amazing opportunity to see the high level of their age in a big competition. It will be really good for their growth.'
Foden, who is part of a City trio in the squad, will face Spain and Guardiola thinks their progress will benefit the nation's game.
'It's good for English football,' he said. 'I think they made the final of the previous tournament and are getting used to making them. That is fantastic. Big congratulations to the team.
The English youngster (centre) has been in superb form in the competition in India
Foden (left), pictured in pre-season, will play for England in the Under 17 World Cup final
He added: 'The final will not be easy against Spain - they've dominated football in all categories - but it's good. We will try to watch it of course.'
Guardiola did, however, criticise the Premier League's second tier competition and its impact on developing youngsters.
'The problem in England, and I have said this many times, is that the second team competition is not so high,' he explained. 'The gap to the next level is big.'
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