Pep Guardiola does not need reminding of the quality of Phil Foden, that much is clear.
Ever since the Stockport-born Manchester City fan broke into the first team in 2017/18 and established himself as a regular fixture the season after, Guardiola has never turned down opportunities to praise Foden. Of course, he has never shied away from highlighting what the youngster must improve, but he recognises his talents and the importance to supporters of a local lad making the big time.
That said, a somewhat peculiar situation unfolded during the weeks that preceded the start of the 2022 World Cup; Foden wasn't starting many games.
READ MORE: Phil Foden admits he felt England pressure before Wales and hails Gareth Southgate tactics
Now that isn't to say he wasn't featuring at all, but of City's last four Premier League matches before the mid-season break, Foden was named in the starting line-up for just one. He came off the bench in the wins against Brighton, Leicester and Fulham, and started the 2-1 home defeat to Brentford.
During that run he started on - and didn't get off - the bench in the Carabao Cup defeat of Chelsea, but he did start away at Borussia Dortmund and at home to Sevilla in the Champions League, although the latter was a dead rubber.
There are of course many mitigating factors in Guardiola's decision to bench one of City's - and England's - most technically gifted players of a generation. As Pep explained, he cannot only think of Foden when making his team selections - Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez are also vying for minutes on the flanks.
From a tactical perspective, sometimes it suites City to have a more 'controlled' and less direct presence on the left wing. Foden tends to instantly drive forward when he gets the ball, but against Brighton - a side excellent at transitioning quickly after winning possession - Grealish's ability to slow the game down was preferred.
That said, it seemed odd that Guardiola benched Foden against Leicester and Fulham, two teams that sat deep and challenged City to unpick their compact defences. Few attackers in the Premier League fare better under those circumstances than the 22-year-old.
Criticism for not selecting Foden is something both Guardiola and England boss Gareth Southgate have come under. After using his other talents in England's win against Iran and draw with the United States, Southgate let Foden loose against Wales.
After a quiet first half out on the right wing, Foden switched to the left in the second half and soon won the free-kick from which Marcus Rashford opened the scoring. A minute later Foden scores himself, converting Harry Kane's low cross after making an instinctive back-post run.
While Wales didn't prove the toughest of opponents, Foden's performance served to show both Guardiola and Southgate that he deserves to start the majority of games. Whether coming up against compact defences or not, Foden makes any attack more dynamic and dangerous.
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