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Phil Foden Manchester City 2023-24Getty

Player of the Season? Phil Foden gets Premier League best billing from Man City boss Pep Guardiola after two-goal derby masterclass against Man Utd

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  • Personal-best goal return
  • Considered to be world-class
  • In line for prestigious awards
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The England international has been in sensational form for City in the 2023-24 campaign, with a personal-best goal return taken to 18 and counting. Foden hit that mark after bagging a brace in a 3-1 victory over United – with his first of that game, which cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s spectacular opener, crashed into the top corner from 20 yards out.

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  • Pep Guardiola Phil Foden Manchester City 2023-24Getty

    WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

    Guardiola believes Foden should sweep the board when individual prizes are handed out, with the Catalan coach telling Sky Sports of his 23-year-old playmaker: “He is the player of the season, with all the respect for incredible players but no-one has been so decisive for us as him this season.”

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Guardiola added on Foden becoming “world-class”, with City bringing the best out of a home-grown star that has already made over 250 appearances for the club: “Winning games is when you become a world class player. Everyone play good but you have to win games, and he wins games. What can I say? He loves football. He lives to play. There are people who like to play. He loves to play football. He will already be a legendary player because in a short age, the games played, the minutes, the goals scored, the titles won and he is from the home and that is why the connection with the fans is unbelievable.”

  • WHAT NEXT FOR FODEN?

    While Foden has become a talismanic presence for City, it remains to be seen where he fits into Gareth Southgate’s England plans. He is often asked to fill a wide attacking role for the Three Lions, but has shown that he can thrive in a central No.10 berth.