Phil Foden has been playing against his ‘toughest opponent’ since he was eight
Phil Foden has named Chelsea's Reece James as his toughest opponent – and he has plenty of experience facing him.
The 23-year-old Manchester City playmaker has been in the academy of his boyhood club since way back in 2009, when he was just eight years of age. In the capital, full-back James rejoined Chelsea a year earlier at the age of eight, 10 years before his first-team bow.
Speaking ahead of the their next likely meeting this weekend, Foden told Premier League and Chelsea reporter Olivia Buzaglo that the toughest player he has ever played against is the Chelsea skipper.
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The duo have been competing since the beginning of their football journey, having been mainstays in the Premier League academies of both Chelsea and City respectively.
At senior club level, the forward and defender have so far faced off on eight occasions, with Foden winning three and losing four with a single draw.
Their most high-profile contest came in the final of the Champions League back in 2021, in which the London side came out 1-0 winners with James keeping Foden quiet.
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Next up is the domestic clash between the two sides at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Chelsea looking to build on their win over Tottenham.
Mauricio Pochettino's side sit 10th in the table and 12 points behind leaders Manchester City after four wins from their opening 11 games.
City look well placed to go on and win a fourth consecutive title after winning nine of their opening 11 games to sit a point ahead of Spurs at the summit.
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Of his 22 matches in total up against Pep Guardiola, Pochettino has only tasted victory on four occasions having struggled against them with Spurs.
Those fixtures brought five draws and 13 defeats for the Argentine boss, who led Tottenham to two cup finals across his five years in charge.
Guardiola will be looking to win a fourth consecutive fixture in the Premier League following consecutive defeats against Wolves and Arsenal.
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