Pep Guardiola: Phil Foden needs to rediscover love for the game

Foden has endured a frustrating campaign at the Etihad Stadium, slipping down Guardiola's pecking order despite being named the Premier League's Player of the Season just two years ago. The 25-year-old has started only two league matches since mid-January, with Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo preferred in attacking roles.

Yet Guardiola remains fully behind the England international, who is close to signing a new four-year contract that would keep him at City until 2030.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash against Brentford, Guardiola said the key for Foden was to reconnect with the freedom and enjoyment that shaped his rise through City's academy.

"Just recover that spirit, the pleasure to be a football player," Guardiola said.

"Forget about the contract, the duties, having to win games. It's just the joy to play football like when you were a little boy in the streets, in school or in the academy. When that happens, he will explode again."

Guardiola pointed to Foden's energetic cameo in Monday's 3-3 draw at Everton as evidence that the midfielder is already showing signs of improvement after helping City fight back from behind.

The City manager revealed he has repeatedly reminded Foden not to lose sight of the qualities that made him so dangerous.

"I said to him, 'Never forget who you are,'" Guardiola explained.

"Your quality is to turn and go, attack the box, create assists and score goals. Don't try to be something different."

Guardiola also referenced Bernardo Silva's difficult third season at City as proof that players can recover from dips in form and return stronger.

Despite Foden's reduced role, Guardiola stressed the club still view him as central to City's future, describing the academy graduate as "massively important" to their recent success.

Since making his senior debut in 2017, Foden has won six Premier League titles and starred in City's record fourth straight title triumph in 2024.

City head into the weekend still chasing Arsenal at the top of the table, with Guardiola believing the pressure of the title race will benefit his evolving squad in the long term.