Graeme Souness has picked the Premier League Footballer of the Year, and it is not Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard. Instead, Souness believes Manchester City’s Phil Foden should win the award.

Both Foden and Odegaard have been in phenomenal form for their respective clubs, and both are chasing the Premier League crown. However, Souness believes Foden, a product of City’s academy, is marginally ahead of the Norwegian international.

Foden’s effect at the Etihad Stadium has grown year after year, with the youthful midfielder constantly producing outstanding displays. His most recent masterclass came against Real Madrid in Europe, but he’s had plenty of game-changing moments in the Premier League.

Souness told the Daily Mail: “The ballots are being cast for the footballer of the year, and Arsenal’s captain Martin Odegaard will have to be in the running. However, Manchester City’s Phil Foden receives my choice. He’s been fantastic. He appears to have the mindset of wanting to learn something new every day in training, and we are seeing a true superstar in the making.

“His goal against Real Madrid in midweek encapsulated him. He remained calm under pressure, shifting the ball off of his feet and hitting it so smoothly. He is an excellent striker of the ball. The caliber of the quarter-finals was everything you could wish for.

“A fantastic watch, a brilliant advertisement for Champions League football, and Manchester City and Arsenal have nothing to fear heading into the second legs. The only difficulty is that each of those teams will think the same way. “That is the mindset of the best players.”Foden, who has won five Premier League titles since becoming a key member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, has now exceeded the 20-goal milestone for the first time in his career.

Guardiola heaped praise on his teenage star after City’s impressive victory in the last Manchester derby, in which Foden scored twice. “He is the best player in the Premier League,” Guardiola said.

“It’s the number of games he’s playing.” He has always been a talented player, but he has matured and gained a better understanding of the game, particularly on defense. He is fantastic. Winning games is how you become a world-class player. When he scores two goals, it makes me happier than the other stuff [defensive work]. But the individual who doesn’t do it isn’t allowed to remain on this squad.”