Man City chief Txiki: We want our academy players to follow Foden

Manchester City sports chief Txiki Begiristain is delighted seeing Phil Foden recognised.

Foden has been named the Football Writers' Player of the Year.

"He is a good example for us. We try to convince the other players to follow him," Txiki told the club's website.

Of course it's an award for him and his team-mates but I think this is a special award for Manchester City's academy.

He represents all that. A player who loves football, is from Stockport and is enjoying and being professional and adapting himself to the way we want to play.

I've been here for 11 years so I've seen everything of him. He is unbelievable. He loves football. He loves to stay on the pitch.

He is the happiest man. He is the first to go on the pitch, the last one going out. Sometimes we have to tell him [to stop training].

Because of the players we have and the team, he has been sacrificing himself for the team by playing in wide areas.

He is already asking to play more central. To have a player who can play wide and is performing and producing his best is a privilege for us."

Begiristain also said: His progression has been unbelievable.

He is 23 and I would say he is getting to the top.

Phil has always played in the fastest way. I think he is now getting the maturity of when he has to accelerate the game and when to play more calm and composed and to keep possession.

He is maturing on that. He is 23 years old and he has won trophies like an animal."