Phil Foden’s transformation wows BBC pundit as Man City ‘clips’ re-analysed
Phil Foden has completed a transformation for Manchester City after a stellar display in their 2-2 draw with Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland put his side in front twice, but a goal from Jordan Teze and Eric Dier’s late penalty ensured that Man City drew 2-2 in Monaco.
Pep Guardiola’s men now sit eighth in the Champions League table, having earned four points from two games after previously beating Napoli 2-0.
Guardiola was left frustrated with the penalty decision that led to Man City being denied all three points against the Ligue 1 club.
Phil Foden looks back to his best as Man City draw with Monaco
Foden had a wretched 2024-25 campaign but is back to his best this season, and scored when Man City thrashed rivals Manchester United 3-0 last month.
The 25-year-old also performed well against Monaco, and was unlucky to see one of his shots hit the crossbar.
Speaking about the attacking midfielder on BBC One’s Champions League [1 October], former Man City defender Nedum Onuoha said: “Some of the games that City have had in recent times they’ve gone up against really dogged defences, sometimes with three at the back.
“I think that he [Foden] has been that little bit of magic that can create opportunities for others. It’s good to see him in that form because two years ago, this was one of the best players in the Premier League.
“But last year, he wasn’t his usual self. As you can see from some of these clips here [vs Monaco], it’s his ability to be surrounded by players, find that space and then get on the half turn. I think that’s the thing that’s major.
“He’s persistent with it, he sees the space. Look how many players he’s surrounded by, but he’s constantly looking for the ball. As soon as that half turn comes, it’s the link-up.
“Foden remains the same, you give the ball to him in those sorts of areas, he’s going to find an outcome whether it’s a cross, it’s a shot, it’s a pass, he wants to have a big influence on the game, and he’s relentless with that.
“In these tight areas, not every player’s good at being able to find space, but he will find that himself, and he has the touch, the ability, the technique to go on and really make a difference for City.
“He does it in so many games like this, where you know you have to make little decisions, good bits of play. Phil Foden himself, it’s good to see him back to the form that we saw two years ago.”
Phil Foden continues to put himself into serious World Cup contention
Man City are vying for success in the Champions League, while Foden knows that the greatest individual prize he can earn at the end of the season is being named in England’s World Cup squad.
| Phil Foden stats | Premier League 2025/26 |
| Appearances | 4 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.45 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 0.23 |
| Chances created | 5 |
The Three Lions are blessed with several top-class attacking midfielders such as Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, meaning that the Man City ace has a tough job on his hands in impressing Thomas Tuchel.
However, fellow England internationals Morgan Rogers and Morgan Gibbs-White have both started the season poorly, opening the door for Foden to be named in Tuchel’s squad on Friday, 3 October ahead of the upcoming friendly with Wales and World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
Should Foden receive a Three Lions call-up, and perform for his country in the same way that he has been playing for Man City, he will bolster his chances of playing in the tournament.
The 25-year-old is tasked with helping Guardiola’s men beat Brentford in their next Premier League game for now, though.