Pep Guardiola provides truth behind Phil Foden’s return to form after difficult 12 months | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given some insight into Phil Foden’s return to form after a difficult 12 months on the pitch for the England international.

Foden has shown glimpses of his former best in Manchester City’s recent run of wins against Manchester United and Napoli, having opened the scoring with a header in the former and set up Erling Haaland to break the deadlock in the latter on Thursday evening.

The 25-year-old was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year two seasons ago after spearheading Manchester City to their fourth successive Premier League title and enjoying his best season since breaking into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad in 2017.

City come up against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday and Foden has made a strong case in City’s victories over Manchester United and Napoli to retain his starting spot at the Emirates Stadium, where the Blues were handed a 5-1 drubbing by Mikel Arteta’s men in February.

Reflecting on Foden’s impressive performance in Manchester City’s 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over Napoli in midweek, Guardiola gave a peak through the curtain on how Foden is slowly but surely returning to his best.

“We are so happy because I know that as much as he’s happy, has joy, and his life is fine, the rest; his nature, his incredible talent comes along,” said Guardiola on Foden.

In several interviews in the last six month, Foden has admitted to mental and physical issues derailing him from producing his best form in the last year, having played an integral role to City’s success under Guardiola over the years.

Foden has two years left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and should he keep up his fine spell of form as the season progress, there is little doubt that Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana and co will table contract renewal talks with the Stockport-born forward.

Guardiola has adhered to Foden needing to play with a smile on his face when citing in recent months what the Englishman needs to be to return to his 2023-24 self, with England manager Thomas Tuchel also hinting that Foden has not been at his happiest when playing for his nation.

“He’s a guy who needs to feel embraced, in all aspects; with his mates, with me, the club. When that happens, after Phil responds like the player that he is,” Guardiola added.

Foden’s return to form of late has coincided with Jeremy Doku impressing with his attacking output and with Erling Haaland up top for Manchester City, Guardiola will know that Foden has the personnel around him to maintain the momentum he has with him.

Arsenal pose the biggest test of the season so far for Manchester City, who managed a poor record against the so-called ‘Big Six’ in the previous Premier League season and will be desperate to get vengeance for last season’s 5-1 humiliation in north London on Sunday.