Back to His Best: Phil Foden’s Revival Powers Manchester City’s Return to Dominance

Posted : 30 December 2025

Manchester City once again look like the most intimidating force in global football, and at the heart of their resurgence is a rejuvenated Phil Foden.

After enduring a turbulent period marked by exhaustion, criticism, and loss of form following Euro 2024, the England midfielder has staged a remarkable comeback just as City close in on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Foden’s struggles were rooted in an overwhelming workload. Coming off the most demanding season of his career, he entered the European Championship drained both physically and mentally.

England’s failure to lift the trophy only intensified the scrutiny, with Foden becoming a focal point for criticism due to the stark contrast between his club brilliance and subdued international performances. The pressure took its toll, and his club form dipped sharply in the months that followed.

Early in the current campaign, Foden looked far from himself. Fitness issues, including an ankle problem, disrupted his rhythm, and Pep Guardiola was at times forced to leave him out entirely.

Reports suggested concerns about his mental well-being, a reflection of how deeply the fatigue and disappointment had affected him. Foden later admitted that the relentless schedule robbed him of both sharpness and joy, describing a rare period where he no longer felt eager to train or play.

Away from football, Foden began to reset. A devoted family man from a young age, he sought calm and balance, relocating with his family to a quieter environment where he could recover mentally and reconnect with life beyond the pitch. That period of reflection proved crucial.

By December 2025, the transformation was clear. Foden had already matched his previous season’s league goal tally, delivering decisive performances week after week. Alongside a relentless Erling Haaland, he has formed a devastating partnership that stretches and dismantles defenses. City’s attacking fluidity and confidence have surged, making them look unstoppable once more.

Guardiola has also played a key role in Foden’s revival by restoring him to a more central midfield role. Rather than isolating him on the wing, City now deploy him as part of the engine room, allowing him to arrive late into the box, dictate tempo, and unlock defenses with incisive passing.

In many ways, Foden has evolved into a successor to Kevin De Bruyne, offering creativity from deeper positions while maintaining his goal threat.

While his club renaissance is undeniable, questions remain about his future with England. Foden has previously voiced frustration over how he was used at international level, often deployed out of position and unable to influence games.

With a new managerial era underway, upcoming international windows may determine whether his club form finally translates onto the international stage.

What is certain, however, is that Phil Foden is no longer burdened by doubt. Freed mentally, trusted tactically, and supported by Guardiola, he is once again playing with joy. As long as he thrives, Manchester City will continue to look like the most frightening team in football.

Back to His Best: Phil Foden’s Revival Powers Manchester City’s Return to Dominance

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