'He should not' - Pep Guardiola discusses Phil Foden's Man City future after Haaland's ten year contract
Phil Foden has 'goals in his bones' and is a completely different player to the one who returned to Manchester City at the start of last season.
Foden was the Premier League and PFA Player of the Year last term before helping England to the Euro 2024 final. But he later complained that those heroics caused him to burnout over the summer and his form for City at the start of the season suffered as a result.
But since the turn of the year, Foden has five goals and two assists in four games and is smiling again, according to his manager Pep Guardiola.
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"Phil hasn’t been there for the first 2-3 months [of the season]," Guardiola admitted. "When he’s smiling every day every game is two goals, three goals.
"The biggest quality of Phil is that around the box he has goals in his blood, his bones, in his mind. He thinks 'I’m going to score'. It's not easy to find. That’s why I want to try to put him central positions because he has a specific quality.
"We talk many times the last month or few weeks, he was a completely different boy at the start of the season with a few problems. They are human beings and sometimes in a long career you have a setback, it’s normal. But we're really pleased that hes happy again and enjoying playing and that’s really good for all of us."
With teammate Erling Haaland penning a £247m new contract until 2034, Foden could partner the striker throughout their careers if he stays at the Etihad. He is currently out of contract in 2027 but there is every indication he'll commit his future to the club. And Guardiola, naturally, believes he should.
"He should not [leave]," the manager said, challenging Foden to improve his link with Haaland to be match Kevin De Bruyne's. "Sometimes for the last pass there can be more. Just a little bit. That’s for the age, he will improve.
"He can be a one man club and finish his career here and play many, many years. He’s an incredible City fan. At his age, the amount of goals, the amount of games, the amount of assists, his work ethic."
