Pep Guardiola says he is pleased to see Phil Foden “happy again” after the midfielder scored two goals for the second time in the space of six days during Sunday’s win over Ipswich Town.
Foden won the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) player of the year award for the 2023-24 campaign after providing a career-high 19 league goals, but failed to score in his first 11 Premier League appearances this season.
The 24-year-old has five goals in his last three outings following doubles against Ipswich and Brentford and his finish against West Ham United, and Guardiola says he is “completely different” to the person he was at the start of the season.
Asked in light of team-mate Erling Haaland’s new nine-and-a-half-year City deal if Foden can be a one-club player, Guardiola replied: “The biggest quality for Phil is around the box, having the goal in his blood, in his bones, in his mind. It is not easy to find this (in a player), that is why we look to put the ball into central positions because he has that specific quality.
“Sometimes his last pass can be a little better, but I have said many times he will improve. There is no reason why he cannot be a one-club man and finish his career here and play many, many years. He is a City fan and you already look at the amount of goals and assists he has, and the work ethic (he brings).
GO DEEPER
Erling Haaland’s huge career contract: What signing until 2034 means for him and Man City
“We spoke many times the last month, and he was a completely different boy to how he arrived at the beginning of the season. He had a few problems, but they are human beings and sometimes when you have a setback and that is normal.
“But we are really pleased that he is happy again and enjoying playing, and that is really good for all of us.”
Foden had a disjointed start to the season, having been given time off following England’s run to the Euro 2024 final and only reporting back for pre-season training a week before the Premier League restarted, before a brief spell out with illness.
He scored his first goal of the season in the Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava in October but was not on target in the Premier League until December’s defeat to Aston Villa.
Foden now has six goals in his last six appearances in the top flight after scoring City’s first and third as they beat Ipswich 6-0 at Portman Road on Sunday.
The win moved City up to fourth in the Premier League. Guardiola’s side return to action against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.
GO DEEPER
The Briefing: Ipswich 0 Manchester City 6: Phil Foden and City rediscover the old magic
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
