Phil Foden is back — and Pep Guardiola has finally revealed why. After enduring a quiet 2024/25 season where goals and assists dried up, the Manchester City academy star is once again proving why he was once crowned the Premier League’s Player of the Year.
The transformation has been impossible to ignore. Foden ripped apart Manchester United in the derby, teed up Erling Haaland for a Champions League strike against Napoli, and dominated Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup with a goal and an assist.
Against the Terriers, it took just 18 minutes for the No. 47 to show his class. After collecting a clever lay-off from teenage debutant Divine Mukasa, Foden buried a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner. Later, he turned provider, slipping in Savinho to seal the win — a performance that earned him man-of-the-match honors.
Foden’s stats underline his revival. In his last four games, he’s produced two goals and two assists — a huge contrast to his lone assist across the final 18 league matches last season. With injury concerns finally behind him, he looks sharper, more decisive, and hungrier than ever.
According to Guardiola, Foden’s resurgence is all about positioning and freedom on the pitch:
“Close to the box I think he plays in the pockets perfectly. When he plays a little bit free and close to the box, he can do something that is unique, we know that. When Phil plays in that position behind the strikers, he’s a real threat.”
The City boss also pointed out that Foden’s recent performances — against Arsenal, United, and Napoli — prove he’s not just back in form, but back to being the game-changer City fans fell in love with.
If Foden can maintain this level of consistency, Manchester City could have their biggest weapon back at just the right time. With Arsenal set to clash with City this weekend, fans might be about to see the best of Phil Foden again — and that could make all the difference in the Premier League title race.
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