Phil Foden made his return to the starting XI for Manchester City during a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, seizing the opportunity created by Nico O’Reilly’s injury in a previous match against Leeds. However, Foden struggled to leave his mark. At present, he appears to be lacking confidence. When at his peak, the England international is a formidable presence on the pitch, thriving on instinct and showcasing his natural skills and intelligence. Pep Guardiola believes that if Foden relaxes, he’ll find his form again.
Pep Guardiola supports Phil Foden’s return to form.
Ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming FA Cup fifth-round match against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, Pep Guardiola expressed his support for Phil Foden, urging him to find a sense of relaxation. Guardiola is confident that with time, Foden will restore his best performance. Discussing Foden, Guardiola stated: “Step by step he’ll be back. He showed some promising moments in the last match, and his dynamism remains intact. Once he learns to relax and play his game, he will start delivering in the final third, making good passes for Erling and taking shots.”
“We want Phil to have the confidence to play freely, allowing his remarkable talent to shine in the attacking zone. He should receive the ball, turn, and advance. Step by step, he will find his way back.”
Manchester City relies on Foden to become the impactful player he can be.
The 2025/26 season kicked off promisingly for Phil Foden, especially with his shift to a midfield role that showcased his abilities. It seemed like Foden was destined for success in this position, and early in the season, he made a substantial impact, emerging as one of Manchester City’s standout players. However, since December, his performance levels have dipped, leading to a more regular presence on the bench.
Whatever has led to this decline, Manchester City needs Foden to regain his impactful form. He brings a unique and dangerous threat from midfield, with creativity and instinct for creating opportunities that few of his teammates possess. Guardiola is eager to see this aspect of Foden’s play return. It may be a matter of allowing Foden to ease into the game rather than striving too hard to influence it. Guardiola’s encouragement for Foden to maintain his composure on the pitch may very well provide the route out of his recent struggles.
Pep Guardiola believes in Phil Foden’s potential to bounce back. For Manchester City to thrive, the England international must regain his flair, and while there isn’t a specific formula for his revival, the support of his manager could be just what Foden needs at this critical moment.