MANCHESTER , England — Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden “is back” after the England forward scored twice in Manchester City‘s 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Foden was voted the Premier League‘s best player for the 2023-24 campaign as City won their fourth title in a row. But he suffered a significant dip last season along with the majority of his teammates as Guardiola’s side finished third in the table and lost the FA Cup final.
– Dynamic and dangerous, Foden must be part of England’s World Cup squad
But Wednesday saw Foden score his first career brace in the Champions League to take him up 20 goals in the competition. He’s the seventh Englishman to reach that mark and, at 25 years, 161 days, he’s the second-youngest to do so after Wayne Rooney (24 years, 157 days).
“This season, he’s back, yeah, this season,” said Guardiola after victory over Dortmund moved City up to fourth in the Champions League table.
“Not just Phil, all of us, we struggled [last season].
“When Phil is at that level, when playing between the lines, in the pockets, it doesn’t matter what happens.
“He’s a special player, but we need his goals, definitely, and today make, hopefully, the first step to do it. It’s important to have him back.”
Foden scored 19 league goals two years ago — a figure which dropped to seven last season. His struggles have seen him omitted from the last three England squads.
Thomas Tuchel names his group for World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania on Friday with Foden hoping to earn a recall.
“Thomas is so smart and wise and knows exactly what the national team needs, and I think Thomas knows Phil perfectly,” said Guardiola.
“There’s no person in this country, no one around the world, that doesn’t know his quality and ability.
“England is so lucky to have a mountain of good players, so in this position, there are a lot, and that’s why Phil has to push himself to be better and better and better.
“When we won the fourth Premier League in a row he was the best player in the Premier League.
“He’s a top-class player. We miss him a lot and now you feel he’s back.”
Information from ESPN Research was used in this report.
