Phil Foden Confident of Form Revival at Manchester City
Manchester City attacking midfielder Phil Foden believes he is gradually returning to his peak level after an encouraging run of performances. The playmaker also addressed his international absence under Thomas Tuchel and his relationship with new City boss Enzo Maresca.
Phil Foden believes he is steadily rediscovering his finest form for Manchester City after a difficult period that saw him left out of England's 2026 World Cup squad. The 26-year-old playmaker, who was named the Premier League and PFA Player of the Season in 2024 following a personal-best 27-goal campaign, reflected on his recent progress while speaking in Leipzig.
A recent high point came during City's Champions League fixture against AEK Athens in October, where Foden delivered a standout performance by scoring three goals and providing an assist. He noted that regular playing time, consistency, and maintaining a positive mindset in dangerous attacking positions are key factors helping him regain his confidence and rediscover his rhythm on the pitch.
Regarding his absence from the international stage, Foden revealed that he has not been in contact with England manager Thomas Tuchel since his World Cup exclusion. Instead of dwelling on the omission, the midfielder explained that his focus remains entirely on performing for his club in the hopes of earning a national team recall in the future. Foden also chose not to address questions concerning the Premier League charges against Manchester City for alleged financial regulation breaches, preferring to concentrate purely on the game.
Foden also discussed working under Enzo Maresca, who took over as manager in the summer following the departure of Pep Guardiola. Having previously developed under the Italian coach at the youth level, Foden explained that the transition was smoother for him compared to others, as he already understood Maresca's tactical demands. Maresca concurred that Foden is improving day by day, stating that he is very satisfied with the player's daily work and expects him to make a significant impact this season, even while competing for a place against Rayan Cherki.