Manchester City star Phil Foden has struggled for form in recent months but has been backed publicly by his manager and now the club
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden could be in line for a return vs Southampton
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Phil Foden is set to sign a new long-term deal that keeps him at Manchester City after a breakthrough in contract negotiations. The homegrown star will commit for at least another four years, ending uncertainty around his future with his current contract running out next summer.
Foden jointly holds the record as the club's most decorated player, breaking into Pep Guardiola's squad from the academy in the 2017/18 season and playing a major role in an unprecedented level of success. He was voted as the best player in the Premier League after guiding City to their fourth consecutive title in the 2023/24 season, although he has seen his form diminish sharply since.
The player admitted to suffering from physical and mental burnout last season and appeared to be refreshed this season with excellent form shown between September and December, but his level has dropped again and the last league game he started was the disappointing draw with Nottingham Forest more than two months ago.
Despite that, Guardiola has been adamant throughout that Foden will rediscover his best form and has regularly turned to him as a substitute in that time. The club have now shown their backing for the 25-year-old by handing him a new deal that ties him to the Etihad until 2023, with the option of another year.
As reported by the Athletic, the contract negotiations have been handled by Rafaela Pimenta - the super agent who represents Erling Haaland and agreed his nine-and-a-half-year contract extension last year. Foden is still hoping to be called into the England squad for the World Cup this summer, but faces a nervous wait as Thomas Tuchel weighs up his options.