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Manchester City: Next Season Should Be Phil Foden’s Time

By Dan Larsen

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Phil Foden of Manchester City runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on April 20, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 20: Phil Foden of Manchester City runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on April 20, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Community Shield

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Phil Foden of Manchester City crosses the ball under pressure from Aron Gunnarsson of Cardiff City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Cardiff City at Etihad Stadium on April 03, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Phil Foden of Manchester City crosses the ball under pressure from Aron Gunnarsson of Cardiff City during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Cardiff City at Etihad Stadium on April 03, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Pep Guardiola entrusted Foden to start one of City’s crucial early season fixtures. Foden got a chance to start in Manchester City’s opening fixture of the season in the Community Shield game at Wembley against Chelsea.

In that appearance, Foden absolutely shined in the team. He played 75 minutes that day and assisted the opening, and ultimately decisive, goal of the game by setting up Sergio Aguero on the edge of the 18 yard box with a perfectly waited pass. It was incredible performance, one that wowed City’s coaching staff, players, and fans.

League Cup

Despite his impressive performance in that opening fixture, Foden would spend much of the first half of the season on the bench in the Premier League. He would get only a handful of appearances as a sub during that time.

Guardiola, however, gave Foden a chance to start every League Cup fixture that City had. Foden didn’t miss his chance to prove his worth here.

Foden scored his first senior goal for City in their 3-0 win over Oxford United in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup in late September. He also assisted a goal that day, and was clearly one of City’s standout performers, just like had been in their Community Shield game.

In the subsequent two games in the tournament, Foden would start twice, playing the entire 90 and working as City’s creative force in both matches. Foden filled the role that was ordinarily occupied by David Silva, but flashed many Silva’s skills in these appearances.

Foden would also get a chance to start for City in their final UEFA Champions League group stage game against Hoffenheim in December.

Much like his League Cup performances, Foden would put in a solid shift over the course of 90 minutes. He contributed four key passes during the 90 minutes he played, and finished the match with a 7.38 form rating which was fifth best on the team that day.