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Lionel Messi. Andres Iniesta. Robert Lewandowski. The rich list of world-class players Pep Guardiola had coached before joining Manchester City was simply astounding.
And yet, three years after penning his move to the Etihad, Guardiola shocked world football with a claim that Phil Foden — then, a teenager who had yet to break into City's regular starting XI — was the most talented player he had ever witnessed.
'The most talented player I've ever seen,' Guardiola said of Foden in 2019. 'His only problem is sometimes his manager doesn't put him in the starting XI. Hopefully in the future that can improve.'
Fast forward five years and Guardiola's prophetic comments have materialised. Foden is Manchester City's leading man, firing the Premier League giants to a record fourth successive title and heavy favourite for the PFA's Player of the Year.
A well-taken double against Brighton on Thursday took the City superstar's goal tally to 24 across all competitions and put last season's Treble winners a point behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand.
Phil Foden (above) has fast become Pep Guardiola's main man at Manchester City this season
The England star has netted 24 goals across all competitions and is pushing City towards an astonishing fourth successive Premier League title, a feat that has never been achieved before
The 23-year-old superstar opened up in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport last week
Foden has flourished since being handed the keys at the apex of Manchester City's star-studded midfield, emerging a significant goal threat capable of turning up in the biggest matches.
While his assist numbers have largely remained the same season upon season, Foden's goal tally has skyrocketed since taking up more advanced positions on the pitch. Of those who don't take penalties for their respective teams, only Ollie Watkins has scored more Premier League goals than the England international.
Foden opened up on his Manchester City journey from ball boy to key player during an exclusive interview with Mail Sport's IAN LADYMAN last week.
'It's been hard sometimes, you know, being the City fan who was a ball boy and then making it through the levels to the first team,' Foden explained.
'I don't think it will ever really change you know? A little bit of that feeling is always gonna be there. But I have balance now. Maybe it's finally gone this year, I don't know.
'The challenge for me was always a mountain to climb to even reach the first team. In my head I just wanted to make one appearance for this club and be able to say that I had done it.
'But once I did that I thought: 'No I can actually play here. I can handle the standard'.
'Now I am at that stage where I feel like I am a key player in the team. I feel very comfortable with that.'
Despite frequently chopping and changing his luxurious squad, Guardiola always seems to have one player he perceives as his main man.
Last season, Erling Haaland only missed three Premier League matches and two Champions League games en route to the Treble.
Think back to the season before, when pundits were questioning City's ruthlessness
