Full Breakdown
Guardiola Backs Phil Foden as Manchester City Nears New Contract
5/9/2026, 10:20:40 PM
Background: Form and Role at Manchester City
Phil Foden, 25, has been a regular starter earlier in the 2023-24 season but has fallen out of the starting XI since January. Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo have taken spots ahead of him, and he has not started a league match for more than two months. He contributed off the bench in a 3-3 draw at Everton, helping City salvage a point.
Data & Statistics: Season Output and Career Highlights
- 10 goals and 5 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions this season.
- Six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.
- Voted PFA Players’ Player of the Year for 2023-24.
- Set to sign a four-year contract extension until 2030, with an optional extra year and a salary increase negotiated by super-agent Rafaela Pimenta.
Official Statements & Club Position
Guardiola emphasized that Foden can regain his best level by rediscovering his love for football, urging him to focus on the joy of playing rather than contracts or duties. He confirmed that negotiations with Foden’s representatives, including sporting director Hugo Viana, are close to completion but not yet finalised. The club’s public messaging underscores confidence in Foden’s long-term value to the squad.
Criticism & Alternative Views
talkSPORT journalist Adrian Durham argued that Foden’s career has “fizzled out” at City and suggested a move to Coventry City to become an “absolute star” and learn from Frank Lampard. Durham questioned the wisdom of a new contract given competition from Cherki, Semenyo and Jeremy Doku, noting that Foden appears limited to a substitute role.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the contract status. Some reports state Foden has “agreed in principle” to a new four-year deal, while others say talks are “close” but not yet concluded. No direct comment from Foden is provided. The reliability scores of the sources range around 42, indicating moderate confidence.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Not because I have a contract. Not because I have duties to do. Not because I have to win that game. Forget about all of that.” — Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager
- “I asked my sporting director, they are close” — Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager
- “So what’s the next step for Phil Foden? The next step isn’t signing a new contract at Manchester City for more of the same. Rayan Cherki is there and isn’t going to give up his place to you easily. There are wingers there who are better than you; (Antoine) Semenyo and (Jeremy) Doku are not going to give up their places easily so Phil Foden’s a sub, at best. So I do not understand why he has signed a new contract.” — Adrian Durham, talkSPORT journalist
What’s Next
City face Brentford in a Premier League match that could bring them within two points of Arsenal, followed by an FA Cup final against Chelsea. Guardiola indicated the club hopes to finalize Foden’s contract before the season ends.
