It is two months since Manchester City’s last shot at silverware was aided by the introduction of Phil Foden into a central role and the next nine months could be influenced by the academy graduate’s evolution in that position.
Kevin De Bruyne’s injury in the Champions League final against Internazionale forced Pep Guardiola’s hand in Istanbul but Foden rewarded his manager by being a key influence on City’s eventual victory by the tightest of margins.