Phil Foden eyes new Man City role and "more difficult" challenge under Guardiola
Phil Foden has won it all for Manchester City - at the grand old age of 23.
Now he has set his sights on doing the same for England.
Foden, winner of five Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and four Carabao Cups with the club he has loved since childhood, was named player of the tournament when the Young Lions lifted the Under-17 World Cup in India seven years ago. But with Euro 2024 looming on the horizon, he admitted that he would love nothing more than to end the nation’s wait for a major trophy.
Foden said: “I don’t know what comes next - but obviously it would be nice to win something with the national team.
“I am hungry to keep winning every single season – that’s just the type of person I am. For me it’s time to forget about last season, even though it was great, it’s time to try to win all those trophies again.
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“The manager (Pep Guardiola) has touched on it – saying he hopes we have the same hunger going into the season. It’s a lot more difficult, as teams will want to beat you all the more, coming off the back of what we did last season.
“So I feel this season might be challenging - but the lads are ready and showing the level we can play at. We are looking forward to the challenge, excited and ready to go.”
Phil Foden holds the Champions League trophy during City's treble parade (PA)Foden was born a year after Manchester United became the first club to win the treble. But he helped City emulate their great rivals last season - and Guardiola has been hammering home the message that he wants even more as he has put his players through their pre-season paces in the Far East.
After beating Yokohama Marinos and Real Madrid in Japan, the Blues have now moved onto Seoul and a date with Atletico Madrid at the weekend.
Foden, who has spent most of his career attacking from the wing, has been given a more central role. And he hopes to be given the opportunity to show that he can replace departed captain Ilkay Gundogan in that position when the real action starts.
He believes a change of position could be the next stage of his development.
Phil and Ronnie Foden after the Champions League final (officialronniefoden_)Foden said: “What we achieved took a while to sink in. It was nice to sit back and think about what we’d actually achieved. It’s going to be hard to do it again - but the challenge Is there and we know the team is capable of doing it.
“I’ve been in a more central position during pre-season. I don’t know if it’s going to happen when the season starts – we’ll just have to see - but I’ll just try to be ready for that if it happens.
“I know I can play anywhere along the front, in midfield as well, just be ready for whatever the manager wants. That would mean a lot of defensive responsibilities and a lot more things to learn.
“But I played there when I was younger, so I feel I can do that role if the manager wants me there. I’m just looking forward to seeing where he plays me.
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“I think the manager has seen my goal threat and he’s wanted me to play further forward. Playing more central might not mean more goals, but I’d be in a role where there’s a lot more to my game.
“I’d be able to show people a lot more of what I can do. I’d be on the ball more, always involved. I think there’s a lot more responsibility in that role and if I do get the opportunity I’ll try to do the best I can – it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.”
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