Phil Foden Shines Brightly in Manchester City's Champions League Victory
Phil Foden had a memorable evening at the Etihad Stadium, showcasing his exceptional talents and reminding Manchester City and England fans of his potential.
Last season was challenging for both Foden and the club, as City ended their eight-year trophy-winning streak. The midfielder also faced personal struggles, dealing with off-field issues and injuries.
However, Foden seems to have overcome those hurdles, impressing his manager, fans, and analysts alike with performances that indicate he is regaining his best form.
With four goals and three assists in just 13 appearances, the 25-year-old is eagerly awaiting the announcement of England's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania on November 13 and 16.
His standout performance in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund, where he outshone Erling Haaland, has certainly bolstered his chances of being selected.
"I’m loving it," Foden told TNT Sports. "I just need to play with a smile on my face, and I am doing that. Last year was tough for everyone, not just me.
"This season feels different, with a renewed sense of togetherness. Dortmund presented some challenges, but we adhered to our plan and utilized our attacking talent to break them down."
He 'can be the difference'
While Norwegian striker Haaland has garnered attention for his remarkable scoring record—27 goals for club and country—Foden remains an integral part of City's attacking lineup.
Having missed the last two England squads and not participating in the preceding camp, Foden faces a tough challenge to reintegrate into Thomas Tuchel's plans.
He competes for the number 10 role with Jude Bellingham, who is also aiming for a return from injury, and Morgan Rogers, both of whom are vying for the position where Foden feels most comfortable.
Foden has stepped into the limelight following Kevin de Bruyne's departure, and with injuries to Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki at the season's start, he has seized the opportunity to establish himself.
After a rocky beginning, Guardiola's team has lost just one of their last 13 matches across all competitions, with Foden participating in 12 of those games, demonstrating his readiness to contribute.
When asked if Foden deserves a spot in the England squad, especially with the World Cup approaching, Guardiola remarked, "Thomas is very astute and understands exactly what the national team requires. He knows Phil well.
"Everyone recognizes Phil's quality and skill, but England is fortunate to have many talented players in this position. Therefore, Phil must continuously strive to improve, so that when he is called up, he can showcase his abilities."
The sight of Foden in full flight, creating opportunities and scoring exquisite goals like his two against Dortmund, has thrilled both Guardiola and the City supporters, who cherish their local hero.
Foden has acknowledged the importance of getting himself "mentally right" after the previous season's challenges.
During the 2023-24 campaign, he scored 27 goals in all competitions, including 19 in the Premier League, helping City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive title.
His outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Season and Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards, along with a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.
Foden played a crucial role in helping England reach the final of the European Championship in July 2024, where they narrowly lost to Spain 2-1.
However, if he is overlooked again by Tuchel, concerns may arise about adding to his 45 caps and participating in football's premier international tournament.
Former City and Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown expressed confidence in Foden's abilities during a BBC Radio 5 Live segment, stating, "We must consider Foden for England—his complete form can be the difference.
"He is mature, eager, and composed in tight situations. I believe he is ready to return to the squad and will rise to the challenge.
"He approaches football with childlike enthusiasm, always wanting to play. As a manager, it was about supporting him and positioning him correctly, and now he has found that spot."
"He must be included in the England squad."
'I would say he is already there'
Foden had a slow start to the season due to an ankle injury, managing only 15 minutes of play before the September international break.
Despite fears of being sidelined again, he found the net in the 3-0 derby victory over Manchester United and provided a brilliant assist for Haaland's goal in a Champions League win against Napoli, where De Bruyne made his return to the Etihad.
Foden's impressive performance in the Carabao Cup third round against Huddersfield was noteworthy, but it was his dazzling display against Dortmund that truly put him back in the spotlight.
His ability to score from distance was again on display, as he has netted 11 goals from outside the area since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, more than any other player in the Premier League during that time.
"I would say he is already there [back to his best form]," Guardiola affirmed to TNT Sports. "He does not need to get closer; he is already there. We missed goals, and he scored two incredible ones.
"How many times have we seen that from Phil? His generosity in effort, coupled with quality in the final third, has been missed. I’m pleased that three other players scored goals, not just Erling."
Tactical analysis: Foden profits from finding pockets
Former Everton and England midfielder Leon Osman shared insights on MOTD: UEFA Champions League: "Dortmund allowed City to exploit the space in front of their defense all night, and Foden was the primary beneficiary.
"In the first half, City effectively rotated players to receive those passes, with either Foden or [Tijjani] Reijnders advancing into those spaces, as Foden did for their first goal, or Haaland dropping deep.
"This is how City prefers to play; they know where they want to receive the ball, and Dortmund facilitated that. This may be due to City's two wingers being positioned high, causing Dortmund to retain five defenders to counter them and leaving space for Foden and Reijnders to exploit.
"Foden’s second goal was similarly achieved by finding space just outside the area, with no Dortmund defenders challenging him."