Phil Foden is set to remain at Manchester City until at least 2030 after agreeing in principle to a new four-year contract, extending his stay beyond his current deal, which was due to expire next summer.
The agreement includes an option for an additional year, signaling strong long-term confidence from both player and club—even as the midfielder faces a dip in form. Foden has not scored since 14 December and has struggled to maintain consistency in recent matches.
His future was clarified shortly after he appeared as a substitute in City’s dramatic six-goal clash against Everton. That result leaves City five points behind league leaders Arsenal, though they still hold a game in hand.
Foden’s contract extension comes at a critical time in his career. With the World Cup approaching, he is pushing to secure a place in England national football team manager Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Selection is far from guaranteed.
Tuchel recently made that clear. Despite Foden starting both matches in England’s final pre-tournament camp, the manager warned his place in the 24-man squad is not assured.
Foden’s journey at City began early. He made his senior debut at just 17 under Pep Guardiola. Since then, he has built an impressive record, 365 appearances, six Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and two FA Cups.
Still, questions around his current role persist. Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney believes the solution is simple: play him consistently.
“I think you have to put him in the team,” he said on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show. “I love watching him play, I love his little movements, how he gets into the pockets of space. It’s not nice watching him sitting on the bench.
“I think he was doing well [this season]. He’s had bad moments, but when you have a bad moment and you’re taken out and put on the sidelines for weeks on end, I just think a player of that quality, you have to just keep playing him.
“You’ve got [Jeremy] Doku there who can do anything. You’ve got [Antoine] Semenyo, who can go outside, come inside. It’s real power, pace and raw speed going up against you, so I don’t know whether that’s a reason why Foden’s not playing. Pep may want a little bit more help defensively.”
Rooney’s remarks highlight a broader debate inside City’s tactical setup. With attacking options like Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo offering speed and direct play, Guardiola may be prioritizing balance over creativity.
