Is today made for the Manchester City wonderboy to make an impact? | OneFootball

Manchester City face a must-win Premier League fixture today against Brentford at the Etihad Stadium. The only way that City’s title hopes will remain intact is if they beat Keith Andrews’ side, who sit 7th on the Premier League table and are a quality outfit. Looking at today’s match, is it the ideal stage for Phil Foden to break the shackles and make an impact? Pep Guardiola has thrown his support behind Foden this week, and with David Ornstein reporting for The Athletic that Foden is on the verge of signing a contract extension at City, the feel-good factor may have returned for Foden. He could have a big role to play today in a crucial match for his team.

Pep Guardiola has once again backed Phil Foden to get back to his best.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola threw his support behind Phil Foden yesterday. Guardiola has no doubts that it is only a matter of time before Foden is back tearing games apart again. Speaking in his pre-game press conference yesterday, Guardiola explained: “I said many times, there’s no doubts about Phil and his impact.”

“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.”

Pep Guardiola added that Foden showed positive signs off the bench in Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Everton last Monday. Foden put in an energetic cameo appearance, and he did look like the player who has been so crucial to Manchester City throughout his City career. Guardiola added: “He had good minutes and movements against Everton. We talk about it. Phil, what is your biggest quality as a player? Turn and go and attack the box, don’t lose that.”

“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.”

Phil Foden could have a vital role to play for Manchester City against Brentford.

There does seem to be a feel-good factor surrounding Phil Foden this week. The news of an imminent contract extension is great for Foden and Manchester City. Also, Foden looked more like himself in the brief time he was on the pitch against Everton. Pep Guardiola has also fully backed Foden to fire again, so perhaps today is the day for Foden to return to the City starting lineup.

Manchester City needs to win today against Brentford to keep in touch with Premier League leaders Arsenal. Starting Phil Foden today could help City break down a quality Brentford side. Where Foden fits into the City starting eleven isn’t immediately clear. He could start on the right wing and drift centrally. Foden at his best carries a goal threat from out wide that many players do not have. Perhaps Foden could start in the middle and look to link up with Erling Haaland and play off Manchester City’s top scorer. The possibilities are there for Pep Guardiola to unleash Foden today in a bid to break open Brentford’s defence.

There’s a feel-good factor surrounding Phil Foden this week. That has been great to see. Yes, Foden has been out of form for a while now. Pep Guardiola is backing Foden to get back to his best, and that will occur at some point. Perhaps today is the day to start Foden in a match that Manchester City simply has to win. At some point, Phil Foden will fire again, and today could be the perfect setting for that to occur.