Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden has something special which is 'hard to find' among young players and has tipped him for a top career after his first Premier League goal against Tottenham.
The teenager was a surprise inclusion in City's starting XI against Spurs in the league on Saturday afternoon and vindicated his manager's decision by scoring the only goal of the game in the fifth minute.
It was Foden's second Premier League start and first Premier League goal at City and Guardiola explained how he made the decision to start the midfielder the day before.
"Yesterday my inspiration came when I was in the office and David (Silva) has played a lot of games and I see him (Foden) I want to give him a game," Guardiola said.
"A manager does not always follow the rule book sometimes it's something I feel and I felt this guy had to play today and it was a good decision because we won."
Foden has been a member of the first team squad for the whole season and Guardiola admitted he sees something in the 18-year-old that he hasn't seen in youngsters at other clubs - even at his former side Barcelona who have their famed La Masia academy.
Asked if he had lots of players like Foden in the Barcelona academy, he replied: "No. He is special, this guy is special."
While there have been reports about his future, Guardiola clearly sees the midfielder staying at the club and views him vying for a place in City's midfield next season.
"He has to fight with Fernandinho with Kevin (de Bruyne) with (Ilkay) Gundogan," Guardiola said. "He has to run and run and run to convince me he can play, but I trust him a lot.
"From the first time I saw him when I just landed here Txiki said 'You have to meet his boy.' And the first season he came one day, two days to training and I said 'You're right Txiki this guy is good' and last season he started to train with Jadon Sancho training with us a little bit and then after he is part of our team.
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"With young players you have to be careful because as quick as you go up you can come down and sometimes you have to handle that situation a bit. But we don't have any doubts. Every time he played he was outstanding and top and the level to me Manchester City player and it's not easy to be in that team.
"I see him every day in training session that's why I know he has something special this player. I have seen many players as a manager and this guy has something which is difficult to find. He's special and works hard and we will see how far he goes in his career. But, hopefully a long time."
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