Pep Guardiola can use Phil Foden tactic to get Kevin De Bruyne back to his best at Man City

For all the well-deserved praise Pep Guardiola gets as a manager, he's probably due a little bit more.

When we discuss the Manchester City manager it tends to be on his revolutionary tactics, his rare vision of the game and the remarkable football that few other managers have managed to rival over the last 15 years. But what he has also proved brilliant at yet gets little recognition for is his man-management.

Guardiola's cavemen-like detractors will dismiss innovative ideas like the inverted full-back or a goalkeeper who can pass and take great joy when the Catalonian 'overthinks' and 'overcomplicates' games, yet will ignore the qualities he has which they no doubt adore in your more... traditional managers.

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The Blues boss is ruthless when needed. Already this year he's made a move Sir Alex Ferguson would be proud of as he got rid of an important player because he risked upsetting the harmony of the squad. He has proved to be a master of saying the right thing at the right time. He laid into his squad for not being good enough after beating Tottenham but then defended them to the hilt after losing to them.

You don't stay in charge of a club, especially when you demand so much from the players, for seven years if you aren't able to keep everyone happy and motivated. There are always lulls. This season especially. Yet Guardiola has shown he knows how to negotiate the rocky waters to get to clearer tides.

The biggest example of late is Phil Foden. For the first time since Foden burst onto the scene as a teenager, his progress has hit a roadblock this season. He increased his minutes, goal contributions and quality every season over the last five years