Foden aiming to 'prove people wrong' after Club World Cup heroics

Phil Foden believes he has rediscovered his "hunger" during a break from football as he aims to revive his Manchester City career and prove his critics wrong. 

Foden failed to build on his stunning 2023-24 season last year, registering just 15 goal involvements (10 goals, five assists) in 45 appearances across all competitions. 

The 25-year-old chose to skip international duty for England for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra and friendly defeat to Senegal earlier this month. 

But Foden returned to the City team with a bang on Wednesday, notching a goal and an assist in their 2-0 victory over Wydad AC in their first game of the Club World Cup. 

Indeed, he became the first Englishman to score in multiple editions of the competition, including all formats, having also netted at the tournament in 2023. 

Foden ended the game with team-high totals for shots (four), while only Savinho (three) created more chances than the England international (two, level with Omar Marmoush). 

"The hunger inside me is back, and I want to prove people wrong," said Foden.

"It was a difficult season. I'm not going to lie. It was not the best. I got a little bit of time off, rested. Yeah, new start, new me. I'm just looking forward to the season.

"I'm happy to get back in with the goals, obviously creating chances as well."

Foden revealed that, despite feeling worn out, there was never a question mark about whether he would be part of City's squad for the Club World Cup.

Pep Guardiola's team face Al Ain in their next group game before taking on Juventus on June 26, with Foden keen to build on his impressive showing against Wydad. 

"A new season, fresh me," he told Channel 5 afterwards. "Looking forward to the season now.

"[The tournament is] very important, not just for me, but for all the players. It is important to get your sharpness now in this big competition.

"Playing for a club like City, there are expectations to perform in every game. I've been used to that pressure.

"Last season was a bit rough for all of us, but it is about going again this season."

Foden, voted the Premier League's best player in the 2023-24 season, is about to enter the last two years of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

His current deal runs out in 2027, but he revealed there haven't yet been any talks about an extension.

"I've not heard nothing. We'll see what happens," he said.