Foden link is booster for Tokyo
MANCHESTER CITY and England women’s star Georgia Stanway is happy to be compared to Phil Foden after being named in the Team GB squad for this year’s Olympics.
The talented Cumbrian star, who joined City as a 16-year-old, is one of 18 players selected for the women’s squad in Tokyo.
Eleven of those players chosen have come from the City squad and Stanway said: “No words can express my emotions.
“It is a surreal feeling to be selected for the Olympics in Tokyo this summer. I’m extremely grateful to be a part of Team GB – athletes I idolised growing up.”
Stanway made her 150th career appearance for City this season and has scored over 50 goals for the club.
She was the youngest outfield player in England’s 2019 World Cup squad and has earned comparisons with Foden.
Giant murals of Stanway and Foden were painted on the walls of a building in Manchester’s Northern Quarter last autumn.
She said: “That was a massive honour. It opened my eyes to think that maybe people are recognising me as similar to Foden but in the women’s game.
“Him and Jude Bellingham are ridiculously young and the way they move the ball, and their skill and tactical ability, is just a joke.
“It’s frightening to think how good they can be in the years to come and to be compared to Foden was amazing.”
She is in a relationship with Huddersfield Giants player Olly Ashall-Bott, who represented England in rugby league at Academy level.
But there are no plans for marriage or kids just yet as Stanway added: “We’re enjoying each other’s company and we’re still young and loving life.
“It’s funny, Olly’s rugby friends are all having kids and I say, ‘I want some... but after I’ve lifted some more trophies’.”