Wednesday’s brilliant hat-trick in our 4-1 Premier League win against Aston Villa was just the latest in a series of outstanding individual displays from the Academy graduate throughout the 2023/24 campaign to date.
The PFA and Premier League Young Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022, the Etihad treble took Foden‘s tally for the season to 21 goals, and with 10 assists to boot it has already proved to be his most productive campaign yet.
Addressing the media at Friday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Crystal Palace, the City boss said that Foden had to be included in the conversation about potential winners of the coveted PFA, Premier League and Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year prizes.
“I think he is a contender, like many others,” Pep declared.
“There are many, many players who play really, really good all season. Not just Phil.
“But I think he can be a contender, for sure, because of the numbers, consistency and the level of his game.
“Always he has [an] incredible work ethic.
“You see the last game he played [against Villa]? He was fouled, it was not given, he go down, stand up, press, recover the ball and net.
“Always Phil had that. From the day one, at 16/17 years old training, having an incredible dynamic and he still has it.
“But of course, football [is] defensive [and] offensive. Like I said before, your quality depends on the performance of your mates.
“How you move depends on the decisions of your mates, you have to take a decision quicker and after, smarter.
“And always there is margin to improve.”
City’s home league clash with Palace back in mid-December ended in a 2-2 draw after an uncharacteristic late lapse saw Palace claim a 90th minute leveller from a penalty, ironically conceded by Foden.
However, Guardiola swatted away any suggestions that result had proved a turning point in the 23-year-old’s season, pointing to his overall consistency from the get-go back in August.
But he did acknowledge experiences such as that afternoon allowed Foden and every other player to both learn and digest the lessons.
“Before Crystal Palace all the season [he] had been good,” Pep pointed out.
“Not just that - when we talk about that he has learned the lesson.
“So, in the 18-yard box always is dangerous with a top opponent.
“We saw it last night with Chelsea and [Manchester] United. There you have to be careful, as much Phil learned and everyone - learn the lesson, it’s not a problem. It happens, it’s football and life.
“People do good things and mistakes is part of that but we learn for the future to not do it again
“I think Phil since then has been good. After [the Palace game] we travelled to Saudi Arabia and he played two really good games in the semi-final and final.
“But before always I think Phil is at a good, good level this season.”
