Manchester City teenager Phil Foden has been compared with Barcelona star Lionel Messi by former youth coach Jim Cassell.

The 18-year-old has emerged as one of football's brightest talents this season.

"Philip was a unique talent at six," Cassell said in an interview with the Daily Mail. "He was a natural, Messi-like the way he covered the ground. He had [a low centre of] gravity, in and out of things.

"I look at him now and think, 'Come on Philip'. We are just waiting for the next growth thing. After that, he will fly. City haven't seen a fraction yet of what he has.

"Once he grows again and goes on a run he will be going past three or four players with the ball. Just like he did as a kid, just like Messi. He will be in an England squad in 18 months for certain."