The signs were there at the Club World Cup that one Manchester City player can quickly return to his best | OneFootball

Although Manchester City went out of the FIFA Club World Cup at the round of 16 stage with a 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal, there were some encouraging signs at the tournament from Pep Guardiola’s side. Perhaps the biggest to emerge from the tournament was the performances of Phil Foden. The England international scored three goals at the tournament, but more importantly, he looked like he had put his 24/25 season behind him.

Heading into the 25/26 season Manchester City will be hoping that Foden is now over the various issues that plagued him last season. He will have a vital role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side and City are a better team when Foden is at his best.

Phil Foden impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup for Manchester City.

By the time Manchester City departed the FIFA Club World Cup with their defeat to Al Hilal, Phil Foden had scored three goals and contributed one assist in four games in the United States. Those are impressive numbers but they don’t tell the full story of Foden’s performances during the competition.

Watching Foden play during the FIFA Club World Cup he looked energetic and he was gliding around the pitch again. The 24/25 season appeared to be a slog for the England international. He looked laboured and tired at times as the toll of playing so much football seemingly caught up with him. But in the United States, the energy was back in Foden’s game. It’s only a small part of his game, but when Foden is up and about, he is generally at his best.

It was also clear to see in the United States that Foden’s touch of class had returned. That never left him last season, but as his confidence waned and the team’s performances dipped Foden’s class wasn’t as evident as it had been throughout his career. His goal against Al Hilal, which came from a Rayan Cherki cross, typified this. It was a difficult finish by Foden to make it 3-all in Orlando. But as Foden does when he is at his best he made the difficult look easy. If there was anything to take from that defeat at Al Hilal for Manchester City it was that moment. Everything that makes Foden such a special player was there in that goal and it does bode well for next season for City and Foden.

Foden will have a key role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side next season.

The hope now is that Phil Foden’s performances at the Club World Cup can be a launching pad into the 25/26 season for the England international. He has seemingly put a tough 24/25 season behind him and could be set for a big 25/26 season. Foden will have a key role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side next season.

With the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City will need players like Phil Foden to step up. De Bruyne’s departure does leave a creative void in Pep Guardiola’s squad. The challenge is there for players like Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden to fill that void. In the case of Phil Foden, he looks poised to do exactly that next season. If he can build upon his impressive Club World Cup performances he does loom as an integral player for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The performances of Phil Foden at the FIFA Club World Cup do set the scene for what lies ahead for the England international next season. He has seemingly put a disappointing 24/25 season behind him and looks poised to be a key player for his team next season. If Foden can fire he could help Pep Guardiola’s side return to the top of English football. How he performs next season may well dictate whether or not City can do just that next season.