Man City starlet Phil Foden likened to Ryan Giggs, but ‘has to be up there with Kevin De Bruyne next season’ as Gazza comparisons are addressed

Gareth Southgate didn’t get too drawn into the comparisons some are making between England legend Paul Gascoigne and current players Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.

However, the current Three Lions boss insists both players should take that as a compliment as he labelled ‘Gazza’ the best player he ever played alongside with England when speaking to talkSPORT on Tuesday.

Danny Mills doesn’t think Manchester City man Foden can be compared to Gascoigne, however, insisting the two are different players.

Instead, ‘incredible talent’ Foden reminds Mills of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs – but the former defender believes there’s still so much work to do for the 20-year-old.

Although he first broke into City’s first-team in 2017, his bedding in has been gradual, with Foden making just 25 Premier League starts for his boyhood club so far.

He played no part in City’s 4-1 victory over Wolves on Tuesday, which is a concern for Mills, who thinks Foden has to be ‘up there with Kevin De Bruyne’ next season.

“I see the reasons for holding him back, but sooner or later you’ve just got to say ‘right, he starts’,” Mills said on talkSPORT’s Kick Off.

“Next season he’s got to be up there with Kevin De Bruyne. Foden’s got to be playing week in, week out because he’s an incredible talent.

“When he’s running, he’s got that drop of the shoulder, that little movement where he goes inside and outside. His poise and balance is magnificent.

“Giggs was quicker but he didn’t move the ball an awful lot, he just used to sway his body from side to side. Foden’s a little bit like that, magnificent to watch, very graceful.

“But he needs to be given a chance.”