Pep Guardiola has perfect opportunity to test Phil Foden for future Man City role

When it comes to positions and formations, you have to take everything Pep Guardiola says with an Everest-sized pinch of salt.

The manager stood there beaming in his pre-RB Leipzig interview on BT Sport and told the reporter that Manchester City always line up with a back four and Nathan Ake would be playing left-back for the game. Fast forward to 30 seconds after kick-off and it was clearly not the case.

City were in a back three that consisted of Ake while Kyle Walker pushed up on the right, Jack Grealish manned the left and Bernardo Silva was everywhere. It's not the first time Guardiola has said one thing only for a completely different one to happen.

ALSO READ: Ederson's critics should be careful what they wish for at Man City

So when he says that Phil Foden will become a midfielder again one day, it's hard to fully believe that will ever come to pass. The homegrown star came through the ranks as the heir apparent to David Silva and was used primarily as a midfielder as he was establishing himself in the squad.

But ever since Foden became a player trusted to start the majority of matches two-and-a-half years ago he has almost exclusively been deployed in the attack. Mostly on the left but occasionally as a false-9 and on the right flank as well. It's worked a treat. Until his dip in form in recent months, Foden has been exceptional and a key figure in the Blues' last two title triumphs. In the two full seasons before the current campaign, he notched 30 goals and 21 assists, excellent figures which don't go close to telling the full story of what he brings to the team.

Regardless of his form in attack, the question of when Foden will return to midfield and whether he can effectively play in the position for