- Phil Foden impressed against Crystal Palace
- Registered two assists
- Micah Richards offers praise
Micah Richards was delighted by what he saw from Phil Foden against Crystal Palace, and there is one big reason he wants the attacker to keep up this level.
Rayan Cherki must have thought his assist to set up Marc Guehi at Stamford Bridge would be the best this season.
However, Phil Foden has given the Frenchman a run for his money, producing an outstanding moment against Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old played a neat backheel to Antoine Semenyo, which allowed him to fire the ball into the bottom left corner.
It was an excellent moment for Foden, yet just one of many good things he did on Wednesday night.
Micah Richards says Phil Foden is magic
Reflecting on Foden’s assist, Micah Richards waxed lyrical over the spectacular contribution, along with the midfielder’s performance as a whole.
He told Sky Sports: “The reason why, and I said before we started the show, I want him to do so well because he came through the academy. It means more.
“So to produce this from the academy. His vision, and then to execute that pass, it’s just mesmerising to me.”
"He's just got that magic!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 13, 2026
Micah Richards analyses Phil Foden's assist against Crystal Palace ✨ pic.twitter.com/7YI5xaxIZc
Addressing Foden’s England hopes, Richards added: “And I know he’s not had the best of seasons, but in a World Cup when he needs something special, he can produce that.
“He’s not played the best for England at all. But when I see him, like the season he had a couple of seasons ago where he was player of the year, and he’s just got that magic. And I just wish he could have shown it more this season.”
Foden has proved a point against Crystal Palace
Only a matter of days ago, Foden was told to leave Man City and join Coventry, who have just earned promotion to the Premier League.
Not every piece of advice received by Foden has been quite so daft, but he has received warning about his game time under Pep Guardiola.
Despite this, the academy graduate has shown that his struggles this season are temporary, rather than being a reflection of any sort of decline.
Foden is still good enough for Man City. After his display against the Eagles, no one can argue otherwise.
What are Foden’s World Cup chances?
During England’s most recent fixtures, Thomas Tuchel put his trust in Foden, but he failed to deliver on the international stage.
Still, Foden looks like he is on the way to finding some form, so he definitely deserves another look in. Man City only have three matches remaining this season, so the Englishman is really cutting it fine.
He may, however, have just enough time to convince Tuchel that he deserves to go to the World Cup this summer.
