Phil Foden, you've been warned! Man City's homegrown hero told potential new signing Rayan Cherki can reach his level after 'difficult season'

Following a remarkable 2023-24 campaign that earned him the Men's PFA Players' Player of the Year, Foden entered the 2024-25 season with lofty hopes. But his output declined sharply, managing only 16 goal contributions in contrast to the 40 he produced the year before.

With City preparing for a major reshuffle this summer, Foden may soon find increased competition within the squad as a new creative force looks set to arrive in Cherki. With Kevin De Bruyne heading toward the exit and Jack Grealish's future up in the air, Cherki is being earmarked to step into a pivotal creative role. His release clause stands at £25 million ($34m), making him a relatively inexpensive prospect for a player who tallied 12 goals and 20 assists during the 2024/25 campaign.

French football legend Marcel Desailly weighed in on the potential of Cherki and the impact he could make at City.

"I was scared that Rayan Cherki was going to choose Manchester United because he needs a team that has a set style," he told Oddspedia.

"He needs a team that already has a philosophy where things work, not to ask him to go in and be the main playmaker straight away. With Manchester City, he can adapt to the philosophy of the system they already have, he can reach the level of Bernardo Silva and the level of Phil Foden, who has had a difficult season, but he is in the same bracket of player. He has a talent that has not yet been in lights, but we will see."

While Foden remains an integral part of City’s long-term plans, the looming arrival of Cherki adds pressure. The Club World Cup presents a unique opportunity for the Lyon star to immediately stake a claim for a regular place in Guardiola's plans, potentially playing alongside or even ahead of Foden. They are set to kick off their campaign on June 18 against Moroccan champions Wydad AC.