Sports

Man City's Foden confident of return to top form

Manchester City's Phil Foden scores a penalty during a penalty shootout
 
Manchester City's Phil Foden scores a penalty during a penalty shootout

  Manchester City midfielder Phil ⁠Foden said he is beginning to rediscover the form that ​made him one of ​the Premier League's standout players, after a recent scoring streak boosted his confidence ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash at RB Leipzig.
Foden, who won the Premier League Player of the Season and Professional Footballers' Association Player ⁠of the Year awards in 2024 after scoring a career-best ⁠27 goals in all competitions, endured a dip in form that ultimately cost him a place in England's 2026 World Cup squad.
'Hopefully I ‌can get back to that level,' ​Foden told reporters ⁠on Tuesday.
'I think I'm slightly starting to get ​back there now with my ‌recent performances.'
The 26-year-old scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Ipswich ​Town last month after serving a suspension following a red card in the Manchester derby.
He followed it up with a hat-trick and an assist in City's 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens.
'I had ‌the unfortunate red card against United. But the break ​did me good. I think I came back really fresh-minded and ​sharp,' ‌he ⁠said.
'Being involved in goals gives you a lot of confidence and when you're playing regularly as well you kind of ​just get into a rhythm and a groove.'
Asked ⁠about his ​international future, Foden said he had not spoken to England manager Thomas Tuchel since being left out of the World Cup squad and was concentrating on performing for City.
'All I ​try and do really is focus on my own ​game and hopefully one day the call-up might come back,' he said.
 — Reuters