"Manchester City star Phil Foden discusses his future performances with our site, reflecting on his Club World Cup performance"
Manchester City kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup title defense with a victorious 2-0 win over Moroccan powerhouse Wydad AC in Philadelphia.
The spotlight was on Phil Foden for Manchester City, with the former PFA Player of the Year aiming to make a strong impression ahead of next year's World Cup with England. Foden showcased his skills in the tournament, particularly in the opening match as he netted the first goal within two minutes and set up Jeremy Doku for a second-half strike.
Despite the absence of some veteran players, City demonstrated their qualities as one of the preferred contenders to win the tournament. Coach Pep Guardiola opted to try out his new signings, including Vítor Reis, Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki, and Tijjani Reijnders, who all made their City debuts.
After a string of successes over the past few years, winning four straight Premier League titles and claiming the Champions League for the first time, Foden and the team seemed to lose momentum this season. They failed to clinch any significant trophy, barely qualifying for the Champions League.
City responded by investing heavily in their squad, spending over €349 million on nine players during the January and summer windows. Their aim was to revitalize the team and improve their chances for next season.
Foden showcased impressive stats in the match against Wydad, completing 93% of his passes, registering two key passes, and creating two big chances. Despite dominating the game, Foden was replaced by Rodri at the hour-mark.
Various reasons have been put forth to explain City's decline in form over the past year. Infamous reasons range from Rodri's injury, intense fixture congestion, a lacking refresh of the squad with younger players, to Foden's own dip in form.
Phil Foden's form took a backseat during the 2023/24 season. Factors contributing to his decline include physical and mental fatigue, injury setbacks, team-wide struggles, increased competition within the squad, and the need for rest. After taking a break from international duty, Foden has shown signs of regaining his top form in the subsequent 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, boosting City's hopes for a successful post-De Bruyne era at the Etihad.
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Stay tuned for more coverage on the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the resurgence of Phil Foden and Manchester City!
England's Phil Foden, eager to shine ahead of the 2026 World Cup, displayed his football prowess in the European-leagues, specifically in the Premier-League, scoring a goal against Wydad AC during their 2-0 victory in the FIFA Club World Cup. As Manchester City gear up for the upcoming season, Foden's improved form, following a series of struggles, is a hopeful sign for their pursuit of trophies in the Premier-League and other European-leagues.
