Manchester City: Revitalised Phil Foden rediscovering his best form at Club World Cup

If Manchester City are enjoying a post-season resurgence at the FIFA Club World Cup  - where every game is live and free on DAZN - then Phil Foden has come to epitomise their upturn in form.

Underwhelming and off colour for large parts of the 2024-25 campaign, it would be stretching it to say City and their mercurial midfield maestro are back.

But if they are not necessarily at their free-flowing, all-conquering best just yet, they are certainly playing with a swagger again and heading in the right direction.

Pep Guardiola’s men beat Wydad, Al Ain, and Juventus with consummate ease to breeze into the Round of 16, where they will face Al Hilal in Orlando.

Foden, 25, has caught the eye in all City’s three games, suggesting he is on the path to rediscovering something approaching his best form.

The England star, by his own admission, struggled for fitness and form during the past season.

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Injuries and inconsistency limited him to 28 appearances, with only 20 being as a starter.

Last month, Foden spoke of having to deal with “a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally” as being a contributory factor in his slump in form.

But the Club World Cup in the USA appears to have given him a new lease of life.

Foden’s second-minute goal and assist for Jeremy Doku helped his side to a 2-0 win over Moroccan club Wydad in their Group G opener.

He enjoyed 45 minutes against Al Ain off the bench and then scored as a substitute in the eye-catching romp against Juventus.

That was further vindication of Foden’s recent assertion that the Club World Cup is essentially part of the new season for him and City.

A trophyless 2024-25 campaign – an unhappy one for Foden, Guardiola, and the club’s supporters – can now be consigned to the history books.

“A new season, fresh me,” said Foden with a smile after playing a starring role against Wydad in City’s opening win on June 18.

“I’m looking forward to the season now. The tournament is very important, not just for me, but all the players.

“It is important to get your sharpness now in this big competition.

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“Playing for a club like City, there are expectations to perform in every game.

“I’ve been used to that pressure. Last season was a bit rough for all of us, but it is about going again this season.”

Foden’s renaissance can be attributed to the healing nature of time and how quickly fortunes and form can change on a football field.

Crucially, he remains one of the most talented players of his generation, and that has never been in doubt.

Now he is showing plenty of glimpses of the form that has earned him a place in the hearts of City supporters.

The boyhood fan from Stockport has won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cups, plus 45 caps for England.

On current form, Foden and City could take some stopping as they bid to become 2025 FIFA Club World Cup champions.

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