Expert: Pep Guardiola told to make 'huge' Phil Foden decision at Man City
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Thu 18 September 2025 16:00, UK
Pep Guardiola has been told to give Phil Foden the chance to regain his best form by giving him a regular place in the Man City starting XI.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Guardiola will be key to the 25-year-old’s long-term future.
Foden scored in Man City’s 3-0 win against Man United and has now been tipped to cement his place in the starting XI and get back to his best.
Concerns had emerged that Foden could be the next Jack Grealish in terms of being frozen out of the manager’s plans after he endured a slow start to the season.
However, following his goal against Man United the England international has been tipped to get back on track and become a “huge” part of City’s success this season.
Phil Foden’s future at Man City has been questioned.
(Credit Imago)
Football Insider revealed in April that Foden could be set for an increased role at Man City following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, who joined Napoli in the summer.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has urged Guardiola to give the midfielder an opportunity to build on his impressive display at the Etihad.
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“Foden has got to be playing every week for Man City,” he told Football Insider.
“The goal against Man United will have been a boost to his confidence, and it was a good performance overall for him in that game.
“Guardiola has got to give him a huge role in the side, let him continue to build on that performance and hopefully for his sake get back to the level he was at previously.
“If he can put together a good run of form, that confidence will keep growing and that’s got to be a good thing for everybody.
Credit: Imago
“It will be important to him and for England ahead of the World Cup as well, because there are serious doubts about whether he will make it into that squad.
“When you look at the options England have in his position, it might be difficult for him to get back in, but all he can do is keep playing and get back to his best.”
Should Foden put together a strong run of form, he will place himself firmly in contention for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad at the end of the season.
Brown told Football Insider on 10 September that Foden could miss out on Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming World Cup in 2026.
Having been excluded from the most recent squad to face Andorra and Serbia, doubts have emerged about whether he will be able to break back into the side.
However, he has been tipped to do so if he can discover his best form with Man City and keep playing regularly under Guardiola’s management.
Thomas Tuchel will have a tough choice for his World Cup squad.
(Credit Imago)
Competition from the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer is also expected to put a dent in his changes of earning his place back.
However, Chelsea legend Joe Cole labelled Foden the “best player in the country” when on top form [via talkSPORT] and insisted England must “keep faith” in him.
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