While Norwegian Haaland’s remarkable scoring feats in this campaign – 27 now for club and country – have hogged the headlines, Foden is a key part of that “talent up front”.<\/p>\n
Having been left out of the past two England squads – and not making himself available for the camp before that – he faces a tough task of getting back into Thomas Tuchel’s set-up.<\/p>\n
Jude Bellingham – also hoping for a return after a shoulder injury – and Morgan Rogers are rivals for the number 10 role – the position where boss Pep Guardiola feels Foden feels happiest.<\/p>\n
For City, he has stepped out of the shadow of Kevin de Bruyne, who departed the club in the summer as a legend, while injuries to Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki at the start of this campaign allowed him to make the spot his own.<\/p>\n
After a poor start, Guardiola’s men have lost only one of their last 13 games in all competitions and Foden has featured in 12 of those, having put his hand up to play – “a sign he is ready” according to his manager.<\/p>\n
Asked whether Foden deserved to be back in the England reckoning – especially with next summer’s World Cup on the horizon – Guardiola said: “Thomas is so smart and wise and knows exactly what the national team needs – and I think Thomas knows Phil perfectly.<\/p>\n
“There is no person in this country, no-one around the world, that doesn’t know his quality and ability, but England are so lucky to have an amount of good players in this position, there are a lot.<\/p>\n
“That is why Phil has to push himself to be better and better, because when he is going to be called up, [he will] say, ‘OK, I’m going to show how good I am’.”<\/p>\n
The sight of Foden in full flow, creative and scoring delightful goals like the two against Dortmund, has delighted Guardiola and the City faithful, who adore their local hero.<\/p>\n