Across his career, Pep Guardiola has worked with some brilliant players. The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Robert Lewandowski, Philipp Lahm, Sergio Aguero, and Kevin De Bruyne all spring to mind.
As he has spent the last decade in the Premier League as manager of Manchester City, the Catalan coach has also spent time with some fantastic British talent. For example – after the pair won six league titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and the League Cup on four occasions together – he dubbed Kyle Walker as 'one of the greatest' defenders of all time.
Just a matter of months ago, he called another Three Lions star an 'incredible diamond'. Despite that glowing endorsement, that man in question has not been called up for the 2026 World Cup squad.
Guardiola Praised 'Most Talented' English Player
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola smiles during a press conference in 2026
Phil Foden was one of the hottest prospects in the Man City academy when Guardiola took over, and the iconic manager quickly noticed that. Indeed, speaking in 2017, he said of the then-teenager: "Phil is the most, most, most talented player I have ever seen in my career as a manager. He has everything to become one of the best players."
Fast-forward to December 2025, and Foden was pushing for a spot in the England squad amid a good run of form. He'd been featured in Tuchel's team for November’s World Cup qualifying wins over Serbia and Albania, and Guardiola was singing the players' praises.
He claimed he was 'incredible' and a 'diamond' after Foden stole headlines with a goal and an assist against Sunderland. Guardiola said:
“Phil is incredible. He is scoring a lot of goals. He came to me after the game and said he didn’t feel well today and look what happened how he runs, in behind, regain the ball.
"When he is in this momentum and this mood, he is a gift and a diamond. He is top.”
At the time, Foden had scored five goals in his last three games and it looked as though he would be on his way to the World Cup that summer. However, the rest of the season did not go to plan.
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Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were both overlooked by Thomas Tuchel.
Foden Failed to Land a Spot in England's 2026 World Cup Squad
England manager Thomas Tuchel
Speaking less than a month earlier in November, Guardiola urged Foden to prove he is good enough for England's 2026 World Cup squad. He said: “England is so lucky to have a mountain of good players – so in this position, there are a lot, and that’s why Phil has to push himself to be better and better.
“He has to say: ‘OK, I’m going to show how good I am.’ Thomas knows perfectly how good Phil is and I’m sure he will do the best for your country.”
But after that flurry of form in the winter, Foden's levels dropped off. He didn't score a single goal for the club in the entirety of 2026, and picked up just three assists in that time as well, as City lost out on the league title to rivals Arsenal.
Such poor form meant few were surprised when Tuchel snubbed the 26-year-old from his England squad. Indeed, Foden has not added to his 49 England caps (four goals and 10 assists) since he failed to impress in two March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, which England drew and then lost.
There is no doubt that Foden and Guardiola enjoyed many brilliant years together, with the midfielder instrumental to some of those six Premier League titles. However, his form over the past few seasons has been worrying.
With the Catalan coach now leaving the Etihad, it will be interesting to see what becomes of one of his most talented former players.
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