![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Pep Guardiola has reiterated his belief that Phil Foden can play in a number of attacking positions.<\/p>\n
England manager Gareth Southgate suggested people should \u201cspeak to Pep\u201d earlier this week after being asked why he seemed reluctant to play the midfielder in a central position for his country.<\/p>\n
Southgate\u2019s inference was that, as Foden tends to play in wider roles at Manchester City, it made it difficult for him to deploy the 23-year-old centrally in international games.<\/p>\n
City manager Guardiola was indeed asked about this as he held a press conference on Friday to preview the champions\u2019 Premier League trip to West Ham this weekend.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/11\/30\/15\/GettyImages-1388382959%20copy.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2022\/12\/01\/03\/GettyImages-1245251240.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cI have an incredible relationship with Gareth,\u201d said Guardiola, who returned to work this week after back surgery. \u201cA comment from me? It looks like I disagree with him and I completely agree with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you play outside it is a completely different role but he knows, I know, that Phil can play in all positions up front \u2013 in the middle, outside right, left, in the pockets.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, as Gareth has said, in the pockets you have another responsibility, especially without the ball. Sometimes you don\u2019t have to be so smart to read what happens every moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the important thing is Phil can play in the five positions up front without a problem and this is a big, big advantage for him.<\/p>\n
Phil (Foden) can play in all positions up front \u2013 in the middle, outside right, left, in the pockets<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw the friendly game against Scotland. He started playing in the right, but moved and was most of the time inside. So the players move right, left, inside, outside. In the end it\u2019s not a big issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/Amazon_Prime.svg\")
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s game at the London Stadium will see Guardiola back at the helm after missing two matches whilst recovering from his back operation.<\/p>\n
In his absence, the treble winners maintained their 100 per cent to their title defence as assistant Juanma Lillo oversaw victories over Sheffield United and Fulham.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said: \u201cI\u2019m getting better, three weeks after surgery. The doctor made a good job and, step by step, I think every week will be better.\u201d<\/p>\n
City received further good news this week as England right-back Kyle Walker agreed a two-year extension to his contract at the Etihad Stadium, committing him to the club until 2026.<\/p>\n
Walker, who had a spell out of favour last season, recently admitted he came \u201cclose\u201d to joining Bayern Munich over the summer but ultimately decided to stay.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said: \u201cIt\u2019s really important \u2013 like the extension from Nathan (Ake), Bernardo (Silva), Rico (Lewis) and Scotty Carson.<\/p>\n
\u201cKyle is an important figure for us. Even his mates demanded he could not leave. His mind is there, he\u2019s here on the pitch and loving it and football will not be a problem because he has a gene like few players I\u2019ve seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/15\/15\/9eb3ba37b7cf6b69036d2d3ff6c0a312Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk0ODc0MTAx-2.73394688.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/15\/15\/c66ed3ee9234ac0fa8eb7e75ac050108Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk0ODczMzUy-2.73411371.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/15\/15\/cb15e52993d8980a0f44d9fdde9cf6e6Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk0ODcyMjU3-2.73382035.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
City announced Walker\u2019s new contract by releasing a video starring the player in a \u2018Wolf of Wall Street\u2019 parody.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said: \u201cOur club is getting better in these social media departments. It was really, really good. The guy who has the idea, chapeau \u2013 hats off.\u201d<\/p>\n