‘Incredible and Extraordinary’ – Pep hoping for major Foden impact | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is hoping Phil Foden can return to his very best this season.

The 25-year-old has already clocked up 319 games for the Blues, as well as scoring 100 goals to date as he begins his ninth senior season for the club.

Last year, however, after winning the Football Writer’s Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year awards for 2023/24, the England star suffered with a  problematic ankle injury which prevented him reaching his previous heights.

Though he missed the 4-0 win against Wolves last weekend, he is back to full fitness and available for the visit of Tottenham – and Guardiola is looking forward to seeing him back to his best.

“Phil, - what can I say?” said Pep.

“The last Premier League we won, he was massively important and the best Premier League player.

“In the last game [that season] against West Ham, he scored twice.

“Phil is a top class and extraordinary player, and I try to convince him he can be better – he can read the situations better, but his joy to play he is unique.

“With Phil, the same applies as it does with Rodri and the consistency we are looking for.

“He had] the problem in his ankle, but he’s fine and much better.

“I never would doubt the quality of Phil’s and what he gives to us, so for him to be happy and play game, game, game and train, train, train [is what we want]… because in 90 minutes he will always give you something special.

“Maybe after the first season he was a 6 or 7 and there was a little drop. If he learned a lesson from that that would be great.

“You can’t always be like you were and he’s been incredibly consistent all these years and this is what we’re looking for.”

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