Phil Foden lit up the Etihad with a performance that felt like a statement: the local prodigy is back in form and hungry for more. After a chastening season both for Manchester City and the player personally, Foden answered critics and eased any lingering doubts with a masterclass that blended invention, composure and a ruthless eye for goal.
Against Borussia Dortmund, he took the spotlight off Erling Haaland, scoring two sumptuous strikes and reminding everyone why he is one of England’s most electrifying talents.
The 25-year-old’s night was more than just moments of brilliance — it was a reboot. Four goals and three assists across 13 games this season point to a player rediscovering rhythm, confidence and the grin that makes him dangerous.
Last season’s struggles, injuries and off-field troubles are being put to bed. Foden has spoken openly about getting himself “mentally right,” and the evidence is visible in his movement, decision-making and willingness to carry the creative load. With key teammates rotating or returning from injury, he’s stepped into the void and claimed the role Guardiola believes suits him best: the intuitive number 10 who can unlock a game with one touch or one brilliant run.
With England squad announcements looming for the World Cup qualifiers, Foden’s resurgence arrives at a perfect moment. Left out of recent camps, he now faces the challenge of forcing his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s plans. Competition is fierce — Jude Bellingham’s return and creative young contenders complicate selection — but few can argue with form like Foden’s when he’s in full flow.
Foden’s return is as tactical as it is clinical. Guardiola’s system has carved pockets of space in front of defences, and Foden has been ruthless in exploiting them.
His ability to drift into the exact pixel of turf between lines, turn a half-chance into pure magic, and punish defenders from distance makes him uniquely effective in City’s front line.
Against Dortmund, he was not just a scorer but the fulcrum around which attacks spun.
Managers, pundits and fans are rediscovering what Manchester City always knew: Foden’s quality is unmistakable. If he keeps smiling, keeps moving into those pockets and keeps converting the half-opportunities that only he seems to see, the conversation will shift from “does he deserve a recall?” to “how could England leave him out?” For now, Phil Foden has handed selection committees a compelling, hard-to-ignore answer.
