Phil Foden has insisted he remains determined to rediscover his top form and re-establish himself in Manchester City’s starting line-up, sending message to Pep Guardiola about his desire to sharpen his performances during a challenging spell in the season.
The 25-year-old midfielder has found opportunities limited in recent weeks and was among the substitutes for City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, featuring only briefly towards the end of the match.
Despite the reduced role, Foden remains confident that he can return to the level that saw him thrive earlier in the campaign, as he balances ambitions at club level with hopes of securing a place in England national football team’s squad ahead of the World Cup under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Foden’s recent dip in involvement comes in contrast to his strong performances before Christmas, when he scored 10 goals in all competitions, including an impressive run of six goals in five matches.
That form underlined his importance to Guardiola’s side and reinforced his reputation as one of England’s most technically gifted attackers.
However, competition for places within Manchester City’s squad has intensified, leaving Foden on the fringes at a crucial point in the season. His situation has also drawn attention at international level, where his limited minutes could influence his standing in Tuchel’s plans.
Speaking after City’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal, Foden acknowledged the natural fluctuations in a player’s career while expressing confidence in his ability to respond.
“Football sometimes is not straightforward,” he said. “There are ups and downs and sometimes you can’t be the best version of yourself and that’s the way it is.”
Rather than showing frustration, Foden emphasised resilience and the importance of maintaining focus during difficult periods.
“It’s just about how you pick yourself back up,” he added. “I’m still keeping my head down, trying to train as well as I can every day and hopefully I come back after the internationals a lot sharper and hopefully I can get more minutes and be back to where I was at the start of the season.”
The England international is expected to use the upcoming international break as an opportunity to regain match fitness and confidence.
- Guardiola targets Arsenal’s next trophy after Carabao Cup victory, ready to stop Arteta again
- Man City 2-0 Arsenal: Guardiola furious with Rayan Cherki despite Carabao Cup triumph
With friendly fixtures against Uruguay and Japan on the horizon, he will aim to make a strong impression and remind both club and country of his capabilities.
Although his recent appearances have been limited, Guardiola has often rotated his squad to maintain freshness across multiple competitions, meaning Foden could still have a significant part to play in the weeks ahead.
His ability to operate in multiple attacking positions has long been one of his key strengths, offering Guardiola tactical flexibility.
At international level, the stakes are equally high. With Tuchel assessing his options ahead of the World Cup, every performance—both in training and in matches—will be closely scrutinised.
Competition for attacking places in the England squad is fierce, with several players enjoying strong club form.
Foden’s inclusion in the expanded squad for the March internationals suggests he remains firmly in contention, but his position is far from guaranteed.
