Premier League

PAUL SCHOLES has riled Chelsea fans after claiming Phil Foden is a “better footballer” than Frank Lampard ever was.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola labelled Foden, 23, the “best player in the Premier League” after his two goals helped the champions beat rivals Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday.Paul Scholes believes Phil Foden is a ‘better footballer’ than Frank Lampard wsCredit: RexEx-midfielder Frank Lampard is Chelsea’s all-time top scorerCredit: AFPThe England international has contributed 18 goals and 10 assists in 40 games so far this season and is now one of the favourites to win the PFA Player of the Year award – an honour Lampard claimed in 2005.He is also seeking to win a sixth Premier League title before his 24th birthday – to go with his Champions League, two FA Cups, four League Cups and Club World Cup.By comparison, Chelsea icon Lampard, 45, won three league titles, the Champions League, Europa League, four FA Cups and two League Cups.But Foden still has some way to go to match the Blues legend’s numbers, with Lampard racking up 211 goals and 145 assists in 648 games for the West London club.The former Chelsea manager, who is the club’s all-time top scorer, also earned 106 England caps, scoring 29 goals and assisting 12.Foden has 78 goals and 51 assists in 257 matches for Man City, along with four goals and eight assists in 31 appearances for his country.Yet despite the disparity in Foden’s current numbers, Man Utd icon Scholes, 49, who was often compared to Lampard himself, believes the Man City man is a more complete player than his former England team-mate ever was.Speaking on Premier League Productions, he said: “Look, he’s a better footballer than Frank Lampard but Frank Lampard scored goals and won leagues for his club from midfield.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You expect centre-forwards to do it. Haaland, you just expect his numbers, you expect Michael’s [Owen] numbers when the team is doing well.”But from a midfield point of view, you’ve really got to take the game by the scruff of the neck and say: ‘Right, I’m going to get us back into this game, I’m going to win us leagues, I’m going to win us games’.Phil Foden ‘would walk into Arsenal’s starting XI’ after Pep Guardiola labelled Man City’s derby hero ‘Prem’s best player’ – but are two players better?”I think Frank Lampard was like that and I think Phil Foden is starting to do that, goals-wise.”Look, Phil Foden is a much better footballer than Frank Lampard was, don’t get me wrong, but Frank won leagues for his team because of the contribution he made in midfield, in big games especially.”And with Phil Foden I think we’re seeing the same type of thing.”Chelsea fans were bitterly unhappy with Scholes’ claim as they took to social media to vent their frustrations.One said: “Still pained Lampard dominated their generation. Old scars.”Another added: “All these United legend are useless, always talking nonsense about Chelsea all the time.”A third replied: “Where does Paul Scholes fit into this conversation? Because Lampard was way better than him😅 Even Phil knows he is no where near Lampard yet!”While a fourth responded: “I think by ‘better football’ he meant ‘more skilful on the ball’. The stats show, year in, year out, Frank was the better football. By far.”And a fifth said: “Pathetic from Scholes Such ideas are not well thought.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Foden is a youngster with POTENTIAL but to be comparing his ability to a legend who achieved what he achieved by showing HIGH LEVEL INTELLIGENCE, TECHNIQUE and CONSISTENCY, is so unwise…”So far Foden is showing that he has the potential to be a great player but there is so much more left for him to achieve and to do consistently.”Scholes has received backlash from Chelsea fans for his commentsCredit: Alamy More

PHIL FODEN is used to being compared to Barcelona legends.Ever since he burst on to the scene as a 17-year-old, people have affectionately nicknamed him the “Stockport Iniesta”.Phil Foden scored twice against Man Utd at the weekendCredit: RexFoden, 23, is having a break-out campaignCredit: RexThe Man City star has been compared to Barcelona legendsCredit: AFPYet there was an even bigger compliment from former Nou Camp coach Pep Guardiola in the aftermath of Sunday’s Manchester derby.The Etihad chief mentioned Foden in the same sentence as the great Lionel Messi — because of his developing knack of being a match-winner.Guardiola was quick to point out he is not putting the England ace  at the same level as his old Barca favourite just yet.After all, he does not believe anyone currently playing at the top level even comes close to the  Argentina World Cup-winner in his heyday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut it was still the highest praise — on the back of calling the City midfielder the best player in the Premier League.And after his two second-half goals turned the game in his team’s favour as they won 3-1 at the Etihad, it is hard to argue.Guardiola said: “With the good players — and I met the biggest-ever player in Messi — you can play well but you have to win games.“I don’t want to compare because Phil is not the level of Leo  — he can do everything but he is winning games as well.”Most read in FootballWhen told what his boss had said, Foden told Viaplay: “No way!“I want to be that player who wins games for the team — and turn up in the biggest games. You cannot compare anyone to Messi, he is in his own world.Seething Roy Keane reveals how he’d have dealt with Phil Foden as he slams Man Utd star for ‘taking a breather’“But to hear something like that from the manager is really nice.”Even from a young age, coaches who worked with Foden saw comparisons with Leo Messi.Former City academy director Steve Eyre told talkSPORT: “I’ve only seen Lionel Messi better —  in terms of the balance, which sets him apart.“Now Foden’s legs and hips have thickened up he’s not so easy to knock off the ball. But if he ever hits the ground he bounces straight back up. He can get much better.”It was in Tokyo during City’s summer tour that Foden first spoke about his wish to be the main man at the club.He has been learning his trade — since breaking through six seasons ago — in the shadows of players like David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.But he coveted the chance to play centrally, saying he would be able to show more of his dazzling array of skills in that position.And when De Bruyne’s hamstring surgery meant that opportunity came up for him, he stepped effortlessly and enthusiastically into the gap left by the Belgian maestro.Now KDB is back, Foden is spending more time out wide.But the confidence he has gained from his outstanding season is still evident. And one of the reasons Guardiola rates Foden as the best around is his versatility — he can be effective on either flank or down the middle.The Prem is packed full of superstars but few can offer that kind of brilliance in a variety of different positions.He is also scoring goals — 18 means he has already enjoyed his best-ever season and there could be up to 19 more matches still to come.Surely he will be in the conversation when the individual awards are handed out later in the spring.What is clear is City’s boy wonder has grown up in recent months — and the Treble winners are reaping the benefit.’I WANT TO SCORE EVEN MORE’Foden, who won the Premier League player-of-the-match award in Sunday’s Manchester derby, added: “I’ve been practising on my finishing this year — quite a lot after training.  But I want to be that player winning the big matches for the team.“I’ve got a good run of games now — I seem to be starting a lot more and I think that helps to find your feet. I want to be involved in goals and always be in the box.“It’s coming off well this year and I want to score even more.“I just think I have grown as a player. Each year I have put the work in on the training pitch and I am now getting the rewards that  I deserve.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWith that in mind, you might be seeing a lot more of Foden’s “sniper” celebration in the weeks — and  seasons — ahead.He added: “It’s basically a joke from the lads. They say that I shoot a lot in training and they call me The Sniper. It’s my celebration now. I like to do it.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED stars believed Erik ten Hag will be sacked in the summer, according to reports.United suffered their 11th Premier League defeat of the season in the Manchester Derby on Sunday.Erik ten Hag could be sacked in the summerCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe is set to make a decision on the Dutchman’s futureCredit: AFPThey were also knocked out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup early on, with Ten Hag coming under pressure at various points of the season.The Red Devils face a difficult task to qualify for the Champions League this season, while they face Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final – their last shot at silverware this campaign.While results have been poor, there have also been reports players are unhappy with the intensity of training under Ten Hag.And according to the Daily Mail there is a belief in the squad the Dutchman will be sacked at the end of the season.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHowever he still reportedly has support from the dressing room and Ten Hag insisted he is “on the same page” as new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe.The pair met and held talks at the beginning of the year and Ten Hag has kept in close contact with Ineos chief Sir Dave Brailsford, who is Ratcliffe’s right-hand man.Ten Hag revealed: “We speak a lot. I have had many conversations with him and with Dave Brailsford about this club, about this team, about the structures.“We are very aligned, it totally fits with the ambitions I have, ambitions I had when I came in.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt is understood Ineos will re-assess Ten Hag’s position in the summer, with new chief executive Omar Berrada and incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth likely to have a say over his future.Gary Neville claimed the pair will likely make a decision quickly – if they have not done so already.Gary Neville says ‘my heart sank’ after seeing what Erik ten Hag did before Man Utd clash – but Carragher loved itHe said: “If you look at the guy [Berrada] who has come in from City as CEO and they’re obviously looking to get Dan Ashworth in from Newcastle – they’re going to make a decision [On Ten Hag’s future], I think, quite quickly, if not already.“I suspect Jim Ratcliffe and Dave Brailsford already know whether they are going to keep Erik ten Hag as manager next season. I can’t believe they’re going to wait until May to make that decision and then leave themselves short.“Where Manchester United have been found out in the last 10 years in recruitment on and off the pitch is making poor decisions, late decisions, not being ahead of the game. I don’t think they are going to do that.“For me, I suspect they have probably come to a conclusion already. It may even be whether it’s Champions League or not, they will stick with that decision.” More