Gabriel Magalhães Reveals the ONE Manchester City Player Who Impressed Him Most: “Forget About the Haaland Hype”

 

He was the only City player that really troubled us last night, Forget about the Haaland hype”, Gabriel Magahaes reveals the ONE City player that really impressed Him last night

Gabriel Magalhães Reveals the ONE Manchester City Player Who Impressed Him Most: “Forget About the Haaland Hype”

After Arsenal’s tense clash with Manchester City last night, Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães opened up in the post-match press conference about the player who truly caught his attention—and surprisingly, it wasn’t Erling Haaland.

While much of the pre-match hype focused on Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess, Gabriel downplayed the Norwegian striker’s impact, suggesting that another City star posed a far greater challenge.

“He was the only City player that really troubled us last night. Forget about the Haaland hype,” Gabriel stated candidly. Though he didn’t mention the player by name immediately, his remarks sparked curiosity in the room.

Pressed for details, Gabriel finally revealed the name: Phil Foden.

“Foden was everywhere. His movement between the lines, his ability to create space and pick out passes—it was tough to deal with,” Gabriel explained. “He’s not just quick with the ball, but he thinks two steps ahead. Defending against that kind of intelligence is harder than just marking a physical striker like Haaland.”

The match itself was a tactical battle, with both teams showcasing defensive discipline and moments of brilliance in attack. While Haaland had a relatively quiet night, Foden’s creativity and vision stood out, constantly probing Arsenal’s backline and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Gabriel’s comments highlight a growing sentiment among defenders in the Premier League: while Haaland is undoubtedly a threat with his goal-scoring record, City’s real engine lies in the versatility and intelligence of players like Foden.

“Of course, Haaland is a top striker, and you always have to be alert with him,” Gabriel added. “But last night, it was Foden who made us work the hardest. He’s the kind of player who can change the game even if he doesn’t score.”

With Arsenal and City both in the thick of the title race, Gabriel’s insights offer a glimpse into the challenges defenders face against Pep Guardiola’s side. As teams focus on neutralizing Haaland, it seems players like Foden are stepping up to make the difference.