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Cape Town - Former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce believes it's crucial for Citizens midfielder Phil Foden to go out on loan and get regular playing time.
The 19-year-old has been labelled one of England's future stars, but he has struggled to break into the City first team since Pep Guardiola took charge.
Foden hit the headlines in 2017 when he won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball as he helped the young Three Lions lift the trophy. In December that year, he was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, but his career has yet to really take off.
The playmaker has made over 30 appearances for the Citizens and became the youngest recipient of a Premier League winners' medal. He also became the youngest-ever goal scorer in the Champions League, and he is also the youngest Englishman to start and score in the knockout stages of the competition.
City coach Guardiola has often praised him for his ability, and he claimed last week that he will be David Silva's replacement when he leaves at the end of the current campaign.
Despite the praise, Foden has only made one appearance this season and Pearce has urged him to leave the club in January.
He told Talksport: "In January, he (Foden) really needs to look at where he is at the moment.
"Game time is absolutely vital for a player of his age. He's coming to that age where he needs to play some games. I think six months out on loan if he hasn't broken into the team, would do him the world of good.
"Guardiola loves the kid to bits, but the bottom line is, you've got to play."
The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva are currently blocking Foden's path into the first team, but his chance may come in the winter months.
City will soon be competing in the Carabao Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League and Guardiola will need to use all of his squad as he tries to win Europe's biggest competition.
- TeamTalk Media
