Phil Foden: Man City's star worth every penny of Football Transfers' €131m valuation

Stuart Telford

Erling Haaland has been dominating the headlines since swapping Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City, but Phil Foden isn't living in the shadows of the big Norwegian.

Haaland has proved incredible value for money for City so far. The Premier League champions activated his €60 million release clause in June and have since been repaid with 20 goals from 13 games in all competitions.

Now rated at €120m by Football Transfers' sophisticated algorithm, Haaland only has Foden above him among City players by this measure, with the England international valued at €131m.

The duo will likely change places in the next release of the system, but that Foden is rubbing shoulders with Haaland off the field is backed up by the fact that he is almost as important on it.

City boast an incredible squad, and Kevin De Bruyne probably deserves special recognition for the role he fulfils as well, but it was primarily Foden who fired City past Southampton on Saturday, assisting Joao Cancelo for the opener before chipping Gavin Bazunu for the second in a 4-0 win.

Haaland bagged a hat-trick against Manchester United in the derby last weekend, but so too did Foden, and the fact he is running the striker close for goals in recent weeks despite lining up wider or deeper than Haaland is testament to his incredible ability.

Pep: 'Incredible sense'

"Last season he played many games as a striker, at the end he will be able to play as an attacking midfielder," Guardiola reflected after the United hat-trick. "Close to the box he has incredible sense.

"What a talent, what a reality. He is a good lad; he lives for football. Hopefully, he can stay many, many years for us and his private life can be settled perfectly and just focus on what he loves, to play football."

Childhood City fan Foden is unlikely to go anywhere soon. Hi current deal at the Etihad runs until 30 June 2024 but the club are understandably working hard to extend that, and with Foden playing his best football yet, he will surely extend.

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Still just 22 and already an 18-time England international, Foden would count as a 'homegrown' player for any team that might have a thin hope to sign him in the Premier League, and these factors further add to his astronomical value.

Haaland might overtake him soon on that front, but as key players in City's team, they are equal.