Phil Foden exclusive: Man City star wants 'main man status' at club this season - 'I play better with pressure'
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Published 09/02/2024 at 12:03 GMT
At the age of 23, Phil Foden has won every club trophy during his short career at Manchester City but he has already set his sights on more collective glory, and says he also wants to become "one of the best players in the Premier League". Speaking on TNT Sports' show 'Around The Block', Foden said his aim is to become the "main man" at the club, while also discussing Kevin De Bruyne's importance.
Manchester City's English midfielder #47 Phil Foden reacts at the end of the English Premier League football match between Luton Town and Manchester City at Kenilworth Road in Luton, north of London on December 10, 2023. Manchester City wins 2 - 1 against
Image credit: Getty Images
Manchester City forward Phil Foden has told TNT Sports that he wants to become the "main man" at the club as they look to build on their Treble-winning campaign last season.
Foden made 48 appearances and scored 15 goals in all competitions for City last season as they achieved the historic feat of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
The 23-year-old has won every trophy he has competed for at club level but he still remains motivated to improve as a player to help the club maintain their remarkable era of success.
The England international has already played a key role this season by helping City win the UEFA Super Cup and scoring in the FIFA Club World Cup final in their 4-0 victory over Fluminense.
He also banged in the second hat-trick of his career against Brentford in the Premier League on February 5 as he and his club seem to be finding top gear at just the right time in the campaign.
Speaking to Joe Cole on TNT Sports' show 'Around The Block', Foden outlined the objectives he still wants to tick off.
"I want to be one of the best players in the Premier League this season," he said. "I think the role that I've changed into recently now is helping me because not only do you see a lot more of the ball, but you can do a lot more things.
"For me, I want to try and be the main man that the team looks to create things - goals and assists.
"I want a very good season of doing that and try to win something so my motivation is always that from the start of the season."
Foden's rise through City's academy to the first-team has been a catalyst for other youngsters to get their chance, with Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb following in his footsteps.
There can be added pressure for homegrown talent but Foden said he thrives under those conditions, making him a better player.
"I think in my younger years at City then probably not but now I'm getting to the age of 23, I think there's a lot of expectations now," he said.
"You're not classed as a young player anymore so I feel like this season is a bit more added pressure for me to produce but it's all love at the end of the day.
"You have to step up in big games, there's always going to be pressure on games. I think I thrive off that, I love pressure and I think I play better with pressure."
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'Nobody can play the way he does' - Foden says it's a 'pleasure' to play alongside De Bruyne
Foden was also quick to highlight the importance of City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne who has made an impressive comeback from injury.
De Bruyne picked up an injury on the opening day of the season and was out of action for four months, but he has returned in fine form and his substitute cameo was key to City claiming a 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle United earlier this month.
"He looked sharp straight away," Foden said. "When he's at it, he's top three best players in the world.
"I don't see anyone who can pass or cross the ball like him so if we going to win anything, we're going to need Kevin back to his best."
Recently, Foden said it was "realistic" for City to repeat their Treble-winning heroics this season and they are on track to go close once again.
City are second in the league table behind Liverpool, and have reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, while they face Luton Town for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Foden revealed that City manager Pep Guardiola challenged the players to continue winning trophies in a pre-season talk, and the forward is confident about their chances.
"He said the challenge is to try and do it again," Foden explained. "He said this season is going to be a bit more difficult because we've won so much and he was hoping that the motivation was the same with the players.
"I can see that it's definitely still there - the hunger to win and want to do what we did last year again so hopefully we can continue to win games and get to the latter stages."
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