“I’ve been as hungry as ever” – Phil Foden targets Manchester City role to replace club legend | OneFootball

Phil Foden has hinted that he may be eyeing the role left behind by Kevin De Bruyne within the Manchester City set-up, amid an up turn in performances this season.

For several years, Foden has been tipped by many as the natural heir to De Bruyne’s throne, but the England international has often been deployed in wide roles under Pep Guardiola in recent successful campaigns.

With the Belgian icon now moving on, a new creative fulcrum is needed, and Foden appears ready to take on the challenge with a resurgence in form across the early weeks of this campaign only adding to the weight of growing expectation on the player.

The 25-year-old has already shown flashes of brilliance in central areas, combining vision, agility, and technical precision that mirror some of Kevin De Bruyne’s best traits, while Manchester City supporters will also remember during previous injury spells for the Belgian that Foden stepped up with match-winning displays.

What is arguably different this time is the permanence of the role, giving Phil Foden the opportunity to evolve from a key squad member into the face of Manchester City’s midfield for years to come.

The wider context of Pep Guardiola’s current rebuild also feeds into Foden’s progression, with signings such as Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki arriving to bolster the attacking unit, adding expectation on the likes of Foden to provide leadership and set standards.

Speaking in a recent interview, Phil Foden reflected on a difficult last campaign, but insisted upon his enjoyment when operating in a central creative role, and perhaps the exact position left behind by Kevin De Bruyne.

“Last year my performances weren’t what I’m used to, but I feel every player goes through those dips, it’s just about how you react,” explained Foden. “I’ve been as hungry as ever to get back in the team, show what I’m about, and try get back to my best.”

The Manchester City poster boy of their Academy success in the last decade continued, “I’ve become a lot more creative this year, and with the likes of Kev [De Bruyne] going, someone needs to step up and create more and hopefully I can be that man and I think I’ve showed that.

“A lot of players played with a lot of niggles and last year, I picked up a lot and it’s not an excuse why I wasn’t at my best, but it was a full team problem. I don’t think everyone wasn’t up to standard, but I feel now there’s fresh minds, fresh players and we’re ready to start again.”

If Phil Foden does succeed in making the central creative role his own at Manchester City, it would not only be a major milestone in his career, but also a defining moment for City’s Academy project.

The club has long sought to produce players capable of replacing world-class signings, and Phil Foden – having already achieved so much within the game – stepping into De Bruyne’s boots would be the clearest example of that ambition fulfilled.

Looking ahead, much will depend on Pep Guardiola’s tactical choices in the biggest fixtures, with Champions League nights and Premier League title races demanding consistency and cutting-edge creativity.

Phil Foden’s performances may come under the spotlight like never before and should he thrive, Manchester City could move seamlessly further into a post-Kevin De Bruyne era, lead by a local hero and childhood Etihad Stadium fan.