Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden has sent a clear message to his manager Pep Guardiola over where he prefers to operate in the current system.
The Premier League champions transferred their fine performances from the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia into Premier League competition on Wednesday night, dismissing of Sean Dyche's Everton courtesy of a blistering second-half display.
Everton's opening goal at the end of the first-half through former Manchester City winger Jack Harrison was cancelled out through a trio of strikes in the second 45 minutes from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez, and Bernardo Silva.
It was yet another inspired Pep Guardiola half-time team talk, emulating the heroics seen at Kenilworth Road when Manchester City also had to come from a goal behind to come away with three points prior to their outing in the Middle-East.
"The manager was big at half-time to keep believing," Phil Foden admitted after the contest at Goodison Park while speaking to broadcast media. "We haven't got this badge (FIFA Club World Cup winners) for no reason. In the second-half, wow, we blew them away."
It was another contest when Phil Foden also shone in a central attacking role for Pep Guardiola's side, and the City academy graduate sent a clear message to his coach insisting on a continued role through the middle for the Treble winners.
"I like playing in this position, in the centre, so long may the manager keep playing me here."
Manchester City now have a short break between fixtures before they return to action on Saturday afternoon, as they welcome struggling Sheffield United to the Etihad Stadium in the final game of 2023.
January is likely to see a number of players return to action for Pep Guardiola as he looks to maintain Manchester City's standard of performances into a crucial second-half of the season.
City take on Huddersfield Town in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup, while Newcastle United at St James' Park and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium will be their first opponents in Premier League competition in 2024.