Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged that he is unaware of the current status regarding Phil Foden’s contract and discussions about a potential renewal.
This season, the England international playmaker is reestablishing himself as a key attacking player for Manchester City, especially after a challenging previous season alongside his teammates.
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Foden recently showcased his brilliance in Premier League action, scoring two goals in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Leeds—a strike within the first minute and another in the dying moments of the match during added time.
The Stockport-born midfielder’s resurgence is timely, as City aims to regain consistency following some recent struggles, particularly with Erling Haaland experiencing a brief scoring slump.
With Foden’s significance to the team growing, discussions about a contract renewal have surged, particularly since he is now in the final 18 months of his current deal. City is eager to reflect his development with enhanced terms.
This subject was among the topics addressed by Pep Guardiola during a press conference ahead of the match against Fulham, alongside discussions about Gianluigi Donnarumma’s disciplinary issues and the need for contributions from players other than Haaland in the goal-scoring department.
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Here’s a summary of Guardiola’s comments from the second part of his pre-Fulham press conference at the City Football Academy on Monday afternoon!
On Phil Foden’s contract situation: “You are correct that we want him to stay for a long time. Absolutely right!”
(Any updates?) “I have no idea, but I hope he can spend his entire career here. He’s a special player, a true Man City fan, and a product of our Academy, so there are no doubts about that. But I’m not in touch with him, his agent, or the club regarding this.”
On Gianluigi Donnarumma needing to manage his reactions better: “Definitely. He will gradually learn about a new league and its nuances.”
(Is it necessary to talk to him about this?) “No. He’s mature enough.”
On the overall weekend with Arsenal dropping points: “Yes, for sure. The game against Leeds was under our control, but we made a couple of mistakes, especially the first one, which sparked emotions.”
“We must ensure that when opponents score, it’s because they earned it and not due to our own errors, as we allowed the game to open up again.”
“It’s a process, and while we’re improving, positive results certainly help. We aim to maintain a good run of points, game by game.”
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On Phil Foden taking on more leadership in the squad: “He has always been that way on the pitch. While he might not say much in the dressing room, he never shies away from the action and takes responsibility from the very beginning, being an incredible presence on the pitch.”
On whether he envisions Phil Foden in the captaincy group at Manchester City: “If he desires it, then yes. But captains are defined by their own actions on and off the pitch. Ultimately, it’s up to him.”
On whether Phil Foden can replicate the goal contributions from players like Raheem Sterling: “He has done so in the past. During the season when we won our most recent Premier League title, he was outstanding with numerous goals and assists.”
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“Historically, during our successful seasons, it hasn’t just been the strikers. Wingers and attacking midfielders have also made significant contributions, especially Ilkay Gündogan during the Treble-winning year. We require that.”
On whether success is dependent on team play or individual performance: “Absolutely. We need to create plenty of opportunities, and that’s the reality.”
“Tijjani [Reijnders] has consistently been getting shots off in recent matches, and once we start converting those chances, our performances and results will improve—that’s for certain.”
On the busy Premier League schedule for the next five weeks: “Well, when you’re 20 points clear of the second team, it’s not critical, but we are in a favorable position. The week leading up to the international break was vital, especially with Arsenal not dropping points.”
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“Given our current situation, we must secure victories; otherwise, it will become challenging.”
On needing the entire squad: “Certainly. Just look at the calendar in my office. December, January, and February will be particularly busy, especially if we continue in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. We have many games ahead.”
On whether it’s too early to discuss potential January signings: “It’s too soon to say.”