Guardiola: I have no doubts about Foden

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Manchester City F.C.

·8 de mayo de 2026

Guardiola: I have no doubts about Foden

Pep Guardiola says he has full faith Phil Foden can get back to his best sooner rather than later.

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Foden has had a difficult second half of the season after a promising period before Christmas.

Still only 25, the Academy graduate is already one of the most decorated players in English football history having helped us to 19 major honours.

Only two seasons ago, the attacking midfielder was voted the Premier League Player of the Season and PFA Player of the Year after a star turn in his sixth title success.

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While Guardiola is well aware Foden hasn’t been at his best recently, the boss believes a return to form is around the corner.

“I said many times, there’s no doubts about Phil and his impact,” he said in Friday’s press conference ahead of our Saturday clash with Brentford.

“He’s a homegrown player from the Academy who’s been massively important in our seasons together.

“I wish from the bottom of my heart he can come back and play his best years with us and help to continue the team to be what it deserves to be.”

The England international was a late substitute in Monday night’s comeback draw at Everton, helping City recover from 3-1 down to score two late goal and earn a point.

Guardiola was pleased with what he saw from the No.47 in that cameo.

“He had good minutes and movements against Everton,” he said.

“We talk about it. Phil, what is your biggest quality as a player? Turn and go and attack the box, don’t lose that.

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“He is not a player to control the game. Your quality is being a machine to attack the ball with a sense of assist and goals.

“It happened two or three times against Everton in a tough moment when we were one or two down, it’s not easy but he did really well.”

Having enjoyed a stellar career to date, Guardiola is also keen to remind the Stockport-born Foden that there’s plenty of time to get back to the player he’s been throughout so many historic successes.

The boss used the example of our current club captain, who recovered from a tough 2019/20 season to become an even more crucial cog in Guardiola’s successful teams.

He also called for Foden to rediscover the enjoyment that typified his free-flowing style.

“Always I say to the players it’s a long career,” he began.

“I remember Bernardo first season he arrived, he didn’t play much then second season he was the best, then season after he dipped.

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“He said, next season I will be back. Bernardo has incredible self-confidence but the third season wasn’t good, but he came back.

“With Phil sometimes you have these periods, I always say to him never forget who you are, your skills, your potential. It’s not new.

“Just do the game, feel free, it’s not about him being lazy or not having a work ethic or he doesn’t care, it’s completely the opposite.

“He loves to go and recover and do it every three days, just back who you are. He’s proven it.

“Don’t pretend to be something different or special, and it will come. Visualise it, the smile on your face, many players go on the pitch and are like ‘Pep another game or competition’ because they love it and Phil is one of them.

“He wants to recover the pleasure to be a player, not because of the duties, or contract, just enjoy it like you are a little boy on the streets, in your school or in the academy.

“When that happens he’ll explode again. He’s not 35, and the legs don’t run, he’s still young and has energy, passion and love for that.

“The moment he does that he will be back, I’m pretty sure.”