Phil Foden says the chance to continue his development under Pep Guardiola was a key factor behind his new five-year contract with Manchester City, while he also hinted at a future position change to midfield.
Foden, 22, has penned a three-year extension to his previous deal that was set to expire in 2024, and will now be contracted at the Etihad until 2027. Already with over 180 appearances for the club, the forward says it was a simple choice to commit his future to City for the next five seasons.
Crediting Guardiola with his improvement from breaking into the first team, Foden even hinted at a future in midfield when looking further ahead, although he accepted he can still improve on the wing and add even more goals to his game.
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“It’s an extremely proud moment for me and my family. Obviously being a massive City fan myself and coming through the academy, to extend my stay here is all I’ve ever dreamed of," Foden said.
"I think it was [an easy decision]. The way the team’s progressing, the way we’re playing football and I’m happy here so definitely, yeah.
“It’s such an easy thing to say but, there's a lot more [to come]. I feel like I can add a lot more goals and hopefully this season I’m seemingly doing that so hopefully I can keep going down that road.”
Foden has successfully bridged the gap from the academy to Guardiola's squad of world-class talents, and he says he wouldn't be anywhere near the player he is without the guidance of his manager.
“Amazing. Unbelievable, I think he’s made me ten times the player I was," Foden admitted. "He’s improved all aspects of my game and I’m just thankful to have him here and I’m enjoying my football with him.
"I'm getting more mature, older, understanding the game a bit more and all those things together. This year, I think I’ve been scoring a lot more goals so hopefully I can keep going in that direction. I don’t like to put too much pressure on myself. Obviously, I have little goals in my head, but I try not to think too much about them because sometimes it can make you try too hard.
"I just try to keep focused and keep performing on the pitch. I think I’m just myself. We have such a great team. Everyone’s together, we all fight for each other on the pitch and it’s just really healthy at the moment and everyone’s trying to do the best they can.”
And Foden even suggested he could see his future in a more central position, despite the majority of his appearances so far coming on the wing rather than in midfield.
He said: “At the moment I enjoy playing off the right and left. My preferred position is obviously midfield but, like I said, I can do those other jobs as well. It’s just nice to know I can play different positions as well and do a job for the team.”
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