Phil Foden started for Manchester City in their 3-nil win over Fulham on Wednesday night. Foden grabbed an assist and his overall performance at the Etihad indicated that Foden may be over the tough spell of form he has recently endured. Foden still has a way to go to recapture his brilliant best. There is no doubt about that. But the signs from Manchester City’s routine win over Marco Silva’s side were overwhelmingly positive from Foden. That could be a massive positive for Pep Guardiola’s side as the pressure ramps up during the final stages of the 25/26 season.
The signs were there against Fulham that Phil Foden may have turned the corner.
It wasn’t a vintage Phil Foden performance by the England international against Fulham, but the signs were on display that Foden may be coming out the other side of his recent run of form. Foden had a period of sustained rest before the Premier League fixture against Marco Silva’s side. It looked to have paid dividends as Foden resembled the player who can dominate matches at the Etihad Stadium.
Phil Foden grabbed an assist when he set up Erling Haaland’s goal in the 39th minute at the Etihad. Haaland’s goal was Manchester City’s third of the night and effectively ended the match as a contest. It was a clever little ball by Foden that found Haaland with space to do what Manchester City’s number nine does best. It wasn’t a magical Kevin De Bruyne-type of assist by any stretch, but it was exactly what Foden needed for his confidence.
Throughout the first half, especially, against Fulham, Foden got into dangerous pockets of space. He had two good chances to score. A Foden volley was blocked by Joachim Andersen in the seventh minute. In the tenth minute, some neat footwork by Phil Foden created space for himself to shoot in the Fulham penalty area. Phil Foden’s right-footed shot lacked the power to beat Bernd Leno, but it was another small sign that Phil Foden’s touch was there.
Pep Guardiola has no doubt that Phil Foden will get back to his best for Manchester City.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Salford City, Pep Guardiola shared his belief that Foden will return to his best sooner rather than later. When asked about Foden, Pep Guardiola said: “*I have zero, zero, zero doubts about Phil. He has to recover himself good and just focus on playing football, going to fish. He loves fishing, and that’s it. When he is that, Phil is back and will be back.*”
“*It’s not 20 centuries ago when he was the best player in the Premier League, it was around the corner. It wasn’t many seasons ago. This is Phil Foden. Just be relaxed in his mind, the joy, the smile and happiness, and play, play, play.*”
Manchester City need Phil Foden at his best. When he is at his best, he offers a threat that not many of his teammates can. Foden can score goals, create them, press City’s opponents, and link up Manchester City’s build-up play. There is a variety to Foden’s play that makes him a dangerous weapon when he is in pristine form. Guardiola’s comments about Foden switching off and enjoying life away from football also highlight how important balance can be for modern players and supporters alike. For many fans, that downtime still revolves around football in some form, watching matches, playing games, or picking up digital content and gift cards on Eneba before returning to their favourite titles. That same sense of freedom and variety is what makes Foden such a valuable option for City when he is playing with a clear mind.
The signs were there against Fulham that Phil Foden may have turned the corner with his form. Manchester City will be hoping that is the case. Foden is a bona fide match-winner on his day, and if he does get back to his best, anything is possible for Pep Guardiola’s new-look side this season.