New season, new city. And, if everything goes smoothly, it will be the old Phil Foden. The best season in Foden's career was followed by the worst season. However, in the strangeness of a tournament that did not entirely belong to the previous season or next season, there were signs that Foden was returning to the peak form.
New season, new city. And, if everything goes smoothly, it will be the old Phil Foden. The best season in Foden's career was followed by the worst season. However, in the strangeness of a tournament that did not entirely belong to the previous season or next season, there were signs that Foden was returning to the peak form. Club World Cup can bring long -term benefits to City if it creates a turning point for Foden.
“I will not say (I am in the best level), but I am sure I feel much sharper, I also scored a few goals,” Foden said. Three goals, exactly speaking. The last goal was his best and 100th goal for City in a 3-4 defeat against Al Hilal.
About 27 of those 100 goals came in the 2023/24 season. If Foden could return to that brilliant, Man City was no different from recruiting a “blockbuster” rookie.
Even when City has a new wave of players, the greatest people in their history are now gone. A hypothesis that exists for many years is that, although there is a difference, Foden is Kevin De Bruyne's successor. Another theory is that Pep Guardiola could not really build a team around Foden when the Belgian player was still there and played an important role.
Does Pep do that now? “I am not sure what role I see in this year,” Foden said, waiting for a discussion with Guardiola. “I can play in many different positions but we all know my position is in the middle, between gaps, so please see what will happen. I am not here to copy what Kevin has done because we all know how good he is. It is trying my best, reaching the level that I have won the title of the best player of the year, I want to return to it.”
If Foden can do it, it will be in another context, another team. City had a reform worth £ 300 million in 2025, 5 rookies in the winter transfer period were followed by 6 rookies in the summer transfer window – even if one of the newcomers, Vitor Reis, is being borrowed to Girona and another, Sverre Nylan, can also leave to get the main kick.
City has 26 players practicing on Tuesday, too much compared to Guardiola's hobbies, even if 3 others are injured. Foden is not sure whether the dressing room at Etihad is large enough to accommodate them.
However, Foden felt that the overhaul was necessary. When the pillars of a great team, like De Bruyne and Kyle Walker, were gone, and Jack Grealish was redundant compared to the request, City was flooded with new faces. Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Touri and James Trafford followed the previous agreements for Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez.
Foden felt that City needs new people. “At some point, any club needs more new players and we have done it in this transfer. That is very good, because the players we bring are very high and suitable for the team. We all can see their quality from the World Cup Club and what they bring to the team. We have a big squad at this time but I think it is definitely necessary.”
A remarkable difference after a season when City lost 17 matches, 13 points behind Liverpool and 22nd in the Champions League group stage: Rodri was back. Are the best individuals in the 2023/24 season, Rodri and Foden have lost each other in a different way; The Spanish player is not well, the British player lost his form.
Rodri recovered after a cross -ligament injury. Foden warns not to expect too much, too early, but it is still very excited anyway. “He will take some time to regain physical strength and sharp sharp because it is a long injury but we all know what Rodri can do,” Foden said. “He cannot be stopped. Playing with him is unbelievable. He makes you feel safe. He does not lose the ball and can do everything.”
City looks full and fragile last season. Now Foden hopes the combination of veterans and new talents will be well to bring them back to the peak. City is seeking to redeem the last season, like Foden.
“I think everyone wants to redeem last season,” Foden added. “We all want to achieve the best performance and win the titles. We have a lot of experience in the dressing room, with Bernardo (Silva) as the captain and hope he can motivate the boys. It is a positive thing when you have done it before, you know how to do it.” And now, Foden hopes, Man City knows how to do it again.
