Foden Set to Extend City Stay as Form Questions Continue

Phil Foden has agreed in principle to a new four-year deal with Manchester City that will keep him at the Etihad until 2030, with an option for a further year. The agreement comes despite a difficult run of form, with the 25-year-old having gone without a goal since mid-December.

The new contract is a clear sign that both player and club still believe in the partnership. Foden has been part of City’s setup for most of his life, made more than 350 appearances, and already won multiple Premier League titles plus a Champions League.

Even so, there is still a question over his exact role in Pep Guardiola’s team. City’s attack has changed shape, with quicker wide players and different options in midfield reducing Foden’s central influence. He has still featured often, but his starts and minutes have not matched the heights of his best seasons.

That peak remains important in the background. During City’s Treble-winning campaign, Foden produced 27 goals and 12 assists, setting a standard that his more recent seasons have not yet reached. His output has dipped, and his place in the side has become less secure as Guardiola rotates other attacking options.

The new deal may also matter beyond City. Foden is trying to prove he deserves a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup. Tuchel has already warned that his spot is not guaranteed, so a strong finish to the season could still be crucial.

City will hope the contract brings renewed focus rather than extra pressure. Rooney has argued that Foden should be playing every week, but Guardiola clearly sees a role for him and has chosen to back him long-term. The next question is whether Foden can turn that backing into the kind of performances that once made him one of the league’s most feared attackers.