Phil Foden 'has potential' to be England's first Ballon d'Or winner in decades – Thomas Frank

Manchester City star Phil Foden is the English player most likely to win the Ballon d’Or, according to Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

Foden has been in fine form for City this season and scored a hat-trick against Frank’s side in their last meeting at the start of February.

Ahead of a rematch at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening, Frank made it clear that he holds the 23-year-old in high regard.

"Phil Foden is a very good player," said Frank. "For me, he's the closest England get to a Ballon d'Or winner in the future. I think he has that potential, that level."

Foden helped City win an unprecedented Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble last season and has picked up where he left off in 2023-24.

The versatile attacking midfielder has contributed 15 goals and 10 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.

He scored one and set up another as City earned a 3-1 win away to Copenhagen last week to take charge of their Champions League last 16 tie.

"He influences the game in so many ways," Frank added.

"The last game he got on the end of three situations and scored three goals. He is very at good dribbling, very good at sliding people in.

"He works very hard. He seems to have a good mentality in terms of working hard. He is very good."

The Ballon d’Or, the annual prize run by France Football and voted for by national team captains and coaches, hasn’t been won by an English player since Michael Owen in 2001.

Frank Lampard came closest, coming second in 2005, while last year the highest-ranked England player was Jude Bellingham in 18th, one place above Harry Kane.

Bukayo Saka was the only other English player in the top 30 in 2023, when Lionel Messi scooped the prize for a record-extending eighth time.

Foden has twice broken the top 30, finishing 22nd in 2022 and 25th in 2021.

City host 14th-placed Brentford on Tuesday with the chance to go second in the Premier League standings, one point behind leaders Liverpool.

Ahead of the game, manager Pep Guardiola picked out striker Ivan Toney as the biggest threat to his side.

"He is so dangerous," said Guardiola.

"He's a master to use his body for the second ball, good finishing, you can link with him - he's one of the best I've ever seen [at that].

"A few weeks ago. the goal we conceded [to him]. we defended not properly but he did it really well. He's a real threat, he always has been."

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