Man City boss Guardiola on Foden: ‘We missed him so much’ captures the significance of Phil Foden’s return to form. The 25-year-old midfielder opened the scoring in Sunday’s 3-0 Manchester derby victory at the Etihad, a result that not only delighted City fans but also served as a timely boost ahead of a crucial week.
Foden endured a difficult 2024/25 season, falling short of the incredible 27-goal campaign he produced the year before. Fatigue and injuries contributed to his dip, with the player even stepping back from England duty in June to recharge. But against Manchester United, he looked revitalised, producing a sharp performance that underlined his importance to Pep Guardiola’s side.
The City boss emphasised that when Foden is at his best, he is among the Premier League’s most decisive players. Guardiola reminded reporters that the midfielder was key to City’s 2023/24 title win, particularly in their dramatic final-day triumph over West Ham. With City seeking consistency after consecutive defeats to Tottenham and Brighton before the international break, Foden’s resurgence could not be better timed.
Guardiola: “We need him so much”
Guardiola was effusive in his praise for Foden following the victory:
“We missed him so much last season. We need him so much. We cannot forget two seasons ago when we won the last game against West Ham to win the title, he was the most important player of the Premier League. Last season for injuries, for other reasons he could not be with us. Hopefully step by step he can get his best. I am pretty sure a game like today against United is a special game for him because he is an incredible Manchester City supporter. I’m sure he’s going to have the best feeling.” — Pep Guardiola
The Spaniard also highlighted the morale boost of beating their city rivals after a stuttering start to the season.
“It’s just one game. We have to prove. But it’s true that winning games, especially in the derby, and seeing the faces of all the fans — all the joy and all the happiness after the game — is always better. It’s one game, but it’s important, after two defeats, to do it at home against United. The spirit was really good.” — Pep Guardiola
Foden’s impact against Manchester United
Foden not only opened the scoring but was also heavily involved in City’s second goal as they swept aside Ruben Amorim’s United 3-0. His ability to drift between lines, link play, and strike clinically was on full display. After a season of frustration, he now looks ready to shoulder responsibility again as one of City’s leaders.
Phil Foden – 2025/26 Premier League stats
| Stat (2025/26) | Phil Foden |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 2 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Key Passes (per game) | 1.0 |
| Accurate Passes | 27.0 (83%) |
| Acc. in Own Half | 14.5 (91%) |
| Acc. in Opposition Half | 13.0 (67%) |
| Total Shots | 2.0 |
| Shots on Target (per game) | 1.0 |
source: sofascore match data – 14 September 2025
Foden’s passing accuracy illustrates his reliability in possession, while his directness in front of goal highlights the threat City lacked when he was absent last season.
Analyst verdict – by John William
For Guardiola, Foden is not just another talented player — he is the heartbeat of City’s attacking rhythm. His versatility, vision, and composure make him irreplaceable when fully fit. The derby performance suggests the break he took over the summer is paying dividends, allowing him to rediscover sharpness and confidence.
City’s hopes of reclaiming momentum this season could hinge on Foden delivering consistently. With fixtures against Napoli in the Champions League and Arsenal at the Emirates coming up, his form will be tested immediately.
Key insights
- Guardiola admitted City “missed” Foden last season due to injury and fatigue.
- Foden scored in City’s 3-0 win over Manchester United and assisted the build-up to a second.
- The midfielder has 1 goal in 2 Premier League appearances this season.
- His passing accuracy stands at 83%, with 1 key pass per game.
- City face Napoli and Arsenal in a pivotal week for Guardiola’s side.
What’s next for City and Foden?
Manchester City now look ahead to Thursday’s Champions League clash against Napoli before facing Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday. These games will provide a clearer picture of whether the derby win was the start of a revival or a false dawn.
For Foden, the challenge will be consistency. If he can replicate his derby form across the season, City have every chance of mounting a title challenge and making a deep run in Europe.
👉 Is Phil Foden ready to re-establish himself as Manchester City’s most important player this season?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 14 Sep 2025 20:41
To be honest, Foden played well, but City still doenst look good.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *