Phil Foden is back to his best, says Pep Guardiola, after the Manchester City forward scored twice in a 4-1 Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund.
Both goals were taken brilliantly, scored low with precision, as City eased past the Bundesliga side, who themselves had only lost once this season.
It was the first time Foden has scored twice in a Champions League match. All four of his shots – joint-high of the match with Erling Haaland – were on target, and 50 percent were on target.
After a tough 2024/25 season for both player and club, both now look set to return to their former best, which saw them win the Champions League among a treble of trophies in the 2022/23 season.
“I’m glad that it’s not just Erling who scores goals!” Guardiola said after Wednesday’s win.
“Phil is back! How many times, how many years have we seen this type of goal from Phil? We missed it a lot last season, even this season. I think he’s going to help us a lot.
“He’s confident scoring this type of goal where you don’t need to shoot hard – just put the ball close to the post, it’s like a pass to the net. Phil is fantastic.
“As long as Phil is happy and loved and having joy, you don’t have to say much. He’s a special player. But we need his goals and hopefully this is the first step to do that.”
Foden himself is enjoying his football again, he says TNT Sports: “I love it. I need to play with a smile on my face, which I do.
“Last year was tough, not only for myself but for everyone. There is a new unity this season and you can see today, Dortmund caused us some problems. They are a great team but we stuck to the game plan and broke them down with our talent up front.”
Foden will be hoping to bring that same spark to Man City when they host Liverpool in the Premier League Super Sundaybefore they go into the international break.
Sunday 9 November at 16.00
Kick off 16:30
Will Foden be recalled to England’s squad?
Phil Foden last played for England in March
Foote’s star turn on Wednesday night comes at a crucial time, with Thomas Tuchel announcing his next England squad on Friday.
Foden last played for England in March 2025 and was included in Tuchel’s first Three Lions squad. However, he has not been a part of the last three camps.
Asked about the possibility of an England call-up, Guardiola added: “Listen, Thomas is so smart and knows exactly what the national team needs.
“I think Thomas knows Phil perfectly. Phil wants to play better and better and better. The national team is different, just like a team. The national team is a short time to create a team when you are not a team.
“There is no person in this country or in the world who does not know his quality and ability. But England are lucky to have so many good players in this position.
“That’s why Phil has to push himself to get better and better because when he gets the call he can say, ‘okay, I’ve got to show how good I am’.”
England are loaded with talent in Foden’s position and any squad announcement will inevitably leave out talented players.
But in the Premier League this season, Foden has created the joint-fourth highest number of chances (20), with Everton loanee Jack Grealish (21) the only English player to rank above him in that metric.
Of course, there is far more than statistics alone that Tuchel will consider when selecting his latest squad, but Foden has certainly caught the eye as he looks to regain his place in England’s starting XI.