News Focus
- Phil Foden agrees fresh four-year terms to stay at Manchester City
- New contract runs until 2030 with an option for an extra season
- The 25-year-old has not scored since mid-December
- City remain five points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race
- Wayne Rooney urges Pep Guardiola to start Foden in every remaining match
Manchester City have secured the long-term future of Phil Foden after the England star signed a new four-year agreement. The deal will keep the midfielder at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2030, with the club holding an option to extend for a further twelve months.
The 25-year-old’s previous contract was due to expire next year. This fresh arrangement shows the club’s trust in the academy graduate, even though he has struggled for form in recent weeks. Foden has not found the net since 14 December, though he did come off the bench during Monday’s thrilling 3-3 draw away at Everton.
Pep Guardiola’s side currently trail league leaders Arsenal by five points, but they have one match in hand. The defending champions will need their attacking players to rediscover their best form quickly if they want to catch the Gunners.
Foden also faces a fight to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup. The national team manager recently stated that no player is certain of selection, despite Foden’s key role in previous camps.
Since making his senior debut as a 17-year-old under Guardiola, Foden has made 365 appearances for the club. He has won six Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy and two FA Cups. His most productive season came during the 2023-24 Treble-winning campaign, when he scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists.
This term, however, he has often played in a deeper position. New signings and wide players such as Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush have taken on more advanced roles. Former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney believes Guardiola must restore Foden to the starting eleven immediately.
Speaking on his BBC show, Rooney said: “You have to play him every game. I love his movement between the lines. When a player of that quality has a bad spell, you keep him on the pitch, not the sidelines.”
With only four league matches left, City will hope Foden can repeat the scoring run that brought him six goals in four games last December.