Phil Foden resurgence can inspire Manchester City and England to glory in 2026 | OneFootball

The City child has turned into a Mancunian man. Phil Foden is enjoying one of the best spells of form in his entire career, scoring six and assisting once in his last six competitive fixtures. From a false nine in the 2020-21 season to an attacking eight this term.

A versatile player, being able to comfortably perform all across the midfield, alongside multiple forward areas. It’s well recognised that the 25-year-old’s talent is one of the greatest to ever come out of English football, but he has struggled to hit consistent seasons of immense form. Is this the season it sticks?

The Stats

Foden’s rejuvenation in form began at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where the Englishman put up three goals and one assist, though Manchester City’s campaign in June ended in disappointment after suffering elimination at the hands of Al Hilal.

This season, the Stockport-born star has also matched his Premier League goal tally from the previous campaign – in just half the fixtures – as well as surpassing his goal total already in all competitions.

This significant vein of form led to Foden receiving an call up to Thomas Tuchel’s England regiment to face Serbia and Albania in November – his first since March – to work with the former Chelsea boss. Foden has since started to replicate his club form for country too.

But what is this down to? Confidence? Training?

The Breakdown

This heatmap presents Foden’s performance in the 2024-25 campaign, with the primary amount of his play within the right-hand side of the pitch, with a tendency to drop into a more comfortable inside role. This tactical switch was primarily down to the talent pool within central areas, which saw Foden shift out wide – a likely reason for his dip in form.

Back to present day, the 25-year-old has operated primarily in half spaces, perhaps due to the summer departures of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, finding pockets of space between lines and supporting attacking build-up. Foden is also significantly more active in deeper areas of the pitch, performing primarily as a number eight in Guardiola’s 4-1-4-1 tactical lattice.

This tactical tweak has improved City’s ball progression, increasing the pace from defence into attacking areas. A vital reason for this could be the absence of Rodri, a stalwart in City’s midfield and someone capable of finding the likes of Foden in advanced positions.

This notable omission has enhanced Foden’s improvement this season, providing him vital knowledge on ball progression and allowing him to learn and improve his overall and number 10 play.

Alongside a switch in position, Foden’s minutes have also increased. Prior to City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford on Wednesday, City’s number 47 was averaging 81 minutes per game this term – compared to just 64 minutes per game in the previous campaign.

This trust from Guardiola has proved significant, especially given the Manchester City academy graduate has scored three of his last five goals after the 64th minute mark.

Despite this positional tweak, England boss Thomas Tuchel labels Foden as an ‘unique player’ being able to perform in the number nine additionally to the number 10 role – stating that it gives Foden ‘an advantage to compete in both positions’.

Tuchel deployed Foden as a centre forward when he came on for Three Lions captain Harry Kane against Serbia in November, when the City star provided an assist for Eberechi Eze’s stunning strike in the closing minutes of the game.

With confidence restored and his influence continuing to grow on a new-look City system, it is essential that this rich vein of form continues. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, Foden’s form and influence can transfer to Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions.