Kevin De Bruyne believes Manchester City teammate Phil Foden has gone ‘up a level’ this season after the midfielder scored twice in the club’s 4-0 win at Brighton.
Foden moved to 24 goals for the season in all competitions with a double to down the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium, as the Citizens ominously closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal.
After Kevin De Bruyne’s flying header opened the scoring, Foden scored the second with a free-kick that deflected past Jason Steele. The 23-year-old’s second arrived on 34 minutes, as City robbed Brighton of possession as the Seagulls looked to play out from the back and Foden slid a finish into the bottom corner.
The England international has produced the best numbers of his career this season with increased minutes in a central role, and is among the frontrunners to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
De Bruyne believes Foden has taken his game ‘up a level’ for Pep Guardiola’s side after the latest decisive performance from the Stockport-born star.
“Now, Phil gets trusted to play centrally,” De Bruyne said.
“Even today we didn’t play with any wingers, so we both played a little centrally and had to go on the wings sometimes.
“Phil does what he does for six or seven years already and it’s not like he’s just come onto the scene. He’s been doing this for years and helped us win titles. This year he went up a level.”
