Manchester City are standing firmly behind one of their own. Phil Foden, the Stockport-born academy graduate who has become a symbol of the club's identity, is going through the toughest stretch of his professional career—but the club's faith has never wavered.
The 2025-26 season started brightly for the England international, who looked every bit the player that has dazzled the Premier League since breaking into Pep Guardiola's side. But as the campaign has progressed, Foden's form has dipped significantly. It's the kind of slump that every great player encounters at some point, and for Foden, it's a new experience at the senior level.
According to a report from The Times' Paul Hirst, Manchester City have already opened preliminary talks with Foden regarding a contract extension. His current deal runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, but the club's hierarchy is making it clear: they're not just backing him through this rough patch—they're investing in his long-term future. Guardiola himself has been vocal in his support, confident that Foden will rediscover the form that made him one of the most exciting talents in world football.
It's easy to forget just how good Foden was earlier this season. Through November and into December, he was a driving force in City's midfield, bringing energy, invention, and that trademark fearlessness that has defined his game since childhood. The role suited him perfectly, and his performances reminded everyone why he's considered the crown jewel of City's academy system.
Hirst's report also notes that an ankle injury and off-field matters disrupted Foden's rhythm last season. Whether those issues have carried over into this campaign isn't entirely clear, but what is certain is that Foden's class is not in question. Form is temporary; class is permanent. Few players embody that saying better than a local lad who has already achieved so much in a City shirt.
For Manchester City, patience isn't just a virtue—it's a statement of intent. Foden means too much to the club, to the fans, and to the identity of a team built on homegrown talent. The belief is that once that first goal comes, or that game-breaking moment arrives, the floodgates will open. It's not a matter of if Phil Foden returns to his best. It's a matter of when.