“He will come back” – Pep Guardiola backs Phil Foden to overturn Manchester City and England fortunes | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Phil Foden to rediscover his best form as uncertainty grows over his place in England’s FIFA World Cup squad.

The 25-year-old has endured a difficult period at the Etihad Stadium, with reports suggesting he has grown frustrated with a bit-part role under Guardiola this season.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has also raised significant doubts over whether Foden will be included in his squad for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Foden, a City Football Academy graduate, played no part in Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Real Madrid last month and was only a late substitute in recent cup wins over Arsenal and Liverpool.

Guardiola: Foden is the same player

Speaking in a press conference in the days leading to Manchester City’s 4-0 drubbing of Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final, Guardiola was asked how he plans to get Foden back to his best.

The City manager was in no doubt that the talent is still there and pointed to the broader context of football’s impatience as part of the problem. “Until November, alongside Erling Haaland, he was the massively important player with us,” Guardiola said.

“Erling and him was the only one to make goals and assists in this club. It’s not one century ago. It was in November. But as I said before, I think he’s not 32 or 33 years old, like you have incredible full experience.

“At 24 or 25, you are still growing, still you are developing as a football player. Today, the world (of) football is like that. And he’s the same player. I know that.”

Guardiola was equally clear that a temporary dip is nothing to be alarmed about – drawing comparisons with some of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

The Manchester City manager added: “I don’t know, Wayne Rooney or players with this type of player have been 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 years all the time, incredible during 11 months? Maybe one season or half season was a little bit drop, it’s normal.

“Except I think (Lionel) Messi, Cristiano (Ronaldo) is unbelievable – that’s why they are another stature because they are for 14, 15 years, every single season, 40, 50 goals.

“He has to challenge with his mates, they are good. (Rayan) Cherki has been amazing. He plays more or less in the position. You have to challenge with Rayan to do that.”

Foden will be back to his best, says Guardiola

On whether Foden can return to his best level, Guardiola was unequivocal. “He will come back because the talent is there,” the 55-year-old said. “He has done since five, six years ago, it was the fourth Premier League in a row (in the 2023-24 season), he was the best player in England, the best player. We could not have won without him.

“How many titles does Phil have? All the titles we won, he was there, five, six Premier Leagues. And he has been an important part in that. It’s not because he’s a residual player and sometimes playing, it’s completely opposite.”

Guardiola also addressed whether Foden’s struggles this season represent a permanent decline or merely a bump in the road.

“The problem is how he will be if he will have never done it. You have never been that. Now it’s, I don’t know, but it’s not the case,” he added. “I think the worst season from Phil was the last one, but this one has been, as I said, November was really good.”

Guardiola: Foden would love to go to the World Cup

On whether a summer off could benefit Foden following his difficult campaign, Guardiola made clear he expects the Stockport-born forward to be pushing hard to make Tuchel’s squad.

“I’m pretty sure he would love to go, I didn’t talk to him, but I’m pretty sure he would love to go with England, in the United States of America to play the World Cup,” he said.

“These opportunities cannot be missed. If you have a chance to do it, play as good as possible to be selected, because it’s one every four years. You have to.”

Asked whether he would take Foden to the FIFA World Cup himself, Guardiola was careful not to tread on Tuchel’s toes. “Ah, it’s not my business,” he said. “I know Phil perfectly and we’ll see how he’s capable of.”

Despite the speculation surrounding his future, Bayern Munich have distanced themselves from a move for the City academy graduate this summer. Guardiola, for his part, appears intent on restoring Foden to the prominence he enjoyed not so long ago – and remains convinced the 25-year-old has the quality to do exactly that.