Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has tipped academy starlet Phil Foden as the direct successor for veteran midfielder David Silva. The Spanish manager stated that his side will not look to buy a new player to replace the outgoing star in anticipation that the Englishman will step up.
Last summer, Silva announced his decision to depart from City after the 2019/2020 campaign having served the club for more than a decade. Recent reports have revealed that the 33-year-old Spaniard is primed to join David Beckham's Inter Miami side, come June 2020.
Having been labeled as 'irreplaceable' by Man City manager Pep Guardiola, a hunt for his potential successor is expected to ensue in the coming months. However, the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona manager has confirmed that the Etihad outfit will look within for the playmaker's replacement other than going all out to make a big money signing. In essence, the Citizens' prodigy Phil Foden has been tipped to carry the mantle should Silva finally secure a move elsewhere.
"Phil is an incredible player but he still has things to improve," said Guardiola as per Sky Sports.
"Sometimes it takes time to understand exactly what he has to do, sometimes you have to be patient.
"But David is going to leave this season and we are not going to buy any player in his position because we have Phil. We trust Phil. If we didn't believe in him we might go to the market to replace David, but we have Phil.
"I would like to help the young players here but this is a club that is so demanding," he added.
"You have to win games. Even when you win four titles here it isn't enough - and that is the truth.
"We won four titles last season and it wasn't enough because we didn't win the Champions League."
