Phil Foden didn’t just look like his old inventive self against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. He looked a new leader of Pep Guardiola’s evolving Manchester City side. Foden went round coordinating the press. He went round encouraging teammates, even helping the colossus Erling Haaland to his feet. He organised. He led.
Haaland was named man of the match but City’s No. 9 did what we know he can do: score with a confidence and frequency like few other strikers at work in the world today. Foden contributed something different, something new. The old joyous, nimble football was back in Foden’s game as if he’d stepped out of La Masia, Barcelona’s academy, and was joining in a rondo with Andrés Iniesta and Xavi. That freedom of expression has rarely been seen in the past 18 months, and City fans welcomed the old Foden back warmly and loudly. Now taking more responsibility with Kevin De Bruyne moved on, Foden also showed a new side to his game, scoring, creating and defending. And leading.
