Phil Foden continued his own-rich vein of form on Wednesday night. He netted two goals in Manchester City’s 4-1 Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund. The performance could not come at a more perfect time. England’s manager, Thomas Tuchel, will name his squad ahead of the almost international action this Friday. Foden’s stellar display raises questions about his potential inclusion in the national team, especially given his absence from the last three England camps.
Foden’s for the last match, as always, showcased his sublime brilliance against Napoli. He even placed all four of his shots on target, with half finding the back of the net. His strikes were just perfectly precise, every single one of them low and well placed. Foden’s double has already earned him a piece of English football history, becoming the first to score twice in a Champions League match. This victory further cements his place as the linchpin of Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with Foden’s performance, claiming, “Phil is back! How many times, how many years have we seen this type of goal from Phil? We missed it a lot last season, even this season. I think he’s going to help us a lot.” Guardiola suggested just how important players such as Foden will need to be in order for the club to prosper. He said he had been pleased to see a line-up of goal-scorers beyond Erling Haaland.
It was as far back as March 2025 that Foden last featured for England, having been named in Tuchel’s first squad for the Three Lions. Since then, he’s been completely absent from Ernst’s national team call-ups. Competition for spots in the squad is intense, especially in Foden’s area of the pitch, where England have an embarrassment of riches. Tuchel’s announcement may be even closer. Unsurprisingly, the speculation has been rampant as to whether or not Foden returns to prominence in a cadre of elite players who called England home.
Foden can’t hide his excitement about returning to his best form. With a huge beam on his face, he declared, “I have to play like I’m smiling and I’m playing like that!” His joy on the pitch has carried onto his play and he looks to keep that momentum going. Manchester City are preparing to take on Liverpool in a titanic Premier League matchup this Sunday. Foden’s next, naturally, and he’s hoping to build on that experience and continue his meteoric rise and provide another memorable performance.
Guardiola praised Tuchel’s understanding of player capabilities, saying, “Listen, Thomas is so smart and knows exactly what the national team needs.” This statement underscores the respect Guardiola has for Tuchel’s tactical acumen and ability to identify players who can contribute effectively to the national side.
As anticipation builds for Tuchel’s squad announcement, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Foden’s recent form earns him a call-up to represent England once again. His goal-scoring prowess and revitalized spirit could prove vital for both Manchester City and the national team in the months ahead.
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