Dropped, Doubted, but Not Done: The Phil Foden Story at City

Manchester City have opened contract talks with Phil Foden despite the academy star losing his place in Pep Guardiola’s best eleven. It’s a show of faith in a local hero during the toughest spell of his career. City began preliminary talks with Foden’s camp over a new deal in early May 2026. His current contract runs until summer 2027, but the club has extended it now to remove any uncertainty. The move comes as a surprise to some — not because Foden isn’t world-class, but because he’s no longer a guaranteed starter. City rarely leave key renewals this late, and Foden is “the jewel in the club’s crown”. Why He’s Not Starting: The Cherki Problem Since January, Foden’s role has changed dramatically:he got hooked at half-time in City’s loss to Man United at Old Trafford in January, has started only 2 league games since that game. The £34m January signing Rayan Cherki has taken his spot. The 22-year-old Frenchman has already 11 assists in the premier league and only Bruno Fernandes has more than him in the league,even Guardiola said “He is top. He is scary. He will play every game now.” Foden hasn’t scored in his last 24 City appearances, with just 1 assist in that run. Overall 2025/26: 10 goals, 5 assists in all comps — decent, but below his 2023/24 PFA Player of the Year standards. Foden was an unused sub in 3 of City’s last 9 games and didn’t feature vs Real Madrid in the Champions League. He got a supportive round of applause when subbed off at Wembley in the FA Cup semi vs Southampton. So Why Extend Him Now? Club execs see 18 months of poor form, not a terminal decline. Foden is 25, has 6 Premier League titles, and came through the academy. “He means too much to the club,” one report said. They believe his talent is “too great for his current level to persist”. Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been linked. With his deal expiring in 2027, City don’t want a contract saga. Txiki Begiristain’s policy: secure key players early. After the FA Cup semi, Pep said: “It is a question of time when Phil will be back.” He’s publicly and privately backing Foden to rediscover his “dazzling best”. Reports say Foden wants assurances about his role and long-term importance. A new deal would give him that, even if Cherki starts for now. The Bigger Picture: City’s Midfield Evolution 2026 has been brutal for Foden. He started 2025/26 strongly with 6 goals in 4 games Nov-Dec, then fell off. Mental and physical issues were cited after a draining 2024/25. Now he’s competing with: Rayan Cherki which is a direct replacement as he has the flair and the end product and Antoine Semenyo who has hit the ground running since joining from Bournemouth. Guardiola rarely rotates at this stage of the season. Cherki will “probably start all five” of City’s run-in games. Foden’s best shot at a start is the FA Cup final. City are betting on Foden’s pedigree over his present. He’s been at the club since age 9, won 11 trophies, and was PFA Young Player of the Year twice. The board think a season-and-a-half slump doesn’t erase that.For Foden, it’s security. For City, it’s keeping a homegrown superstar tied down before Euro 2028, when his value could spike again. You don’t let Phil Foden leave because of one bad year. City’s contract push proves it. He may be on the bench today, but the club is planning for him to be the face of the next era.As one report put it: “Foden’s role may have shifted this season, but Manchester City’s long-term stance on him has not.”Now Foden has to earn the shirt back.