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(Credit: Imago / Getty Images)

Ben Palmer

Fri 22 August 2025 12:00, UK

Phil Foden will be desperate to find his form for Man City in a bid to bolster his chances of being included in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.

That is according to Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that the midfielder’s fight for inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s squad would have a positive effect for Pep Guardiola.

Foden was named as the FWA Player of the Year and PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season after scoring 19 and assisting 8 goals in 35 Premier League appearances.

However, in the 2024/25 season, the 25-year-old’s performances dropped off massively as he scored seven and assisted just twice in the league.

Man City fans slated Foden, with his performance in a 0-0 draw against rivals Man United in April a particular low point.

This led to suggestions that Arsenal may look to sign Foden, taking advantage of his deteriorating situation at the Etihad.

And whilst it seems unlikely the attacking midfielder will be leaving this summer, the England international will be desperate to improve his performances this season, according to Le Tissier.

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Phil Foden had a disappointing 2024/25 season.

(Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.

Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Le Tissier tipped Foden to regain his form in time for England’s 2026 World Cup campaign in North America.

The eight-time-capped Premier League legend also believes this will come as a major benefit to Guardiola, who has often relied on the 25-year-old to be the fulcrum of his side.

However, Foden will need to oust Man City new boy Tijjani Rejnders from the starting XI, after the former AC Milan man scored and assisted on his debut in a 4-0 win over Wolves.

Thomas Tuchel has plenty of options available at number 10 for England.

(Credit Imago)

Le Tissier said: “I think with the World Cup on the horizon, it is something that the players will obviously have half an eye on.

“They’ll want to be in the squad, so they’ll be looking to find top form just so that the manager doesn’t have an excuse to leave them out.

“There is competition for places in those squads, there definitely is that, so that should help Pep and should help people like Phil Foden to regain his form again.”

Should Foden fail to find his form, another contender for the number 10 role for England could become an option for the Sky Blues.

Speaking previously to Football Insider, Le Tissier said that Man City may look to sign Morgan Gibbs-White in January.

Morgan Gibbs-White was a target for Man City earlier in the summer.

(Credit Hasan Karim/Breaking Media)

Guardiola’s side have previously shown an interest in the Nottingham Forest star, who signed a new contract at the City Ground this summer.

But if City are in a tight race for the Premier League title, Le Tissier suggested they could move for Gibbs-White to bolster their title charge.

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