The 2025/26 campaign is a big one for the career of Phil Foden.
Last term was arguably the 25-year-old’s worst since breaking through at Man City, especially considering the Englishman was crowned the PFA Players’ Player of the Year the season prior, as the midfielder struggled for consistency and form.
The FIFA Club World Cup is big for Foden as the tournament will allow the City academy graduate to remind everyone what he is capable of, and more importantly, show Guardiola that he is still up for the challenge, especially with Rayan Cherki arriving at Man City.
Everyone knows that Foden is a quality footballer, and Darren Bent has told the 25-year-old exactly what he needs to start doing next season.
Phil Foden in action for Manchester City v Wydad AC at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Phil Foden needs to play every week at Man City
Foden played a big role in Man City’s opening win against Wydad AC at the Club World Cup on Wednesday, and the midfielder looked more like his old self.
It is being reported that Foden looks a lot happier at Man City this summer, and that could set him up for a positive 2025/26 campaign, one in which Bent thinks the England star needs to play every week, similar to the likes of Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland.
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“You look at Pep, some of these teams, where his teams are at it. There always seems to be a spine. So Ederson plays every week. Ruben Dias plays every week or Kompany, when he was there,” Bent said on talkSPORT about Foden.
“Rodri pretty much plays every week. De Bruyne would play every week, Haaland plays every week, and then Bernardo Silva, for a time, he was playing every week.
“He (Foden) needs to find somewhere in there where Pep goes, ‘Right? You are my mainstay, and everyone else around you can be moving parts, but you are the kind of the solid foundation of this football team.'”
Silva is a good example for Foden to follow, given that they play in similar positions, as the midfielder has been a mainstay in Guardiola’s team ever since his £43m move from Monaco in 2017.
Bernardo Silva celebrates a goal for Manchester City v Aston Villa.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
What should Pep Guardiola do with Phil Foden
With the talent he possesses, Foden should undoubtedly be a starter for Man City every week; however, the arrival of Cherki will complicate things for the 25-year-old throughout the upcoming season.
In order to get the best out of the midfielder, Guardiola needs to use the England international in the number 10 role, which has been left vacant by Kevin De Bruyne, as that is Foden’s best position.
The midfielder should be given freedom to roam, to create for the attacking players ahead of him, who should be Omar Marmoush on the left, Cherki on the right, and Haaland leading the line.
The Club World Cup will give Man City fans a big hint at how Guardiola plans to use Foden throughout the 2025/26 campaign, as the further the Manchester club go in the tournament, the more likely the legendary coach’s best team will be seen.