Phil Foden's bio, profile | Youth Prodigy to Key Player at Manchester City

 Phil Foden's bio, profile | Youth Prodigy to Key Player at Manchester City

Phil Foden's bio, profile(Image-Getty)

Widely acclaimed as one of the most exceptionally talented players hailing from England, Phil Foden, a loyal member of the Manchester City team since the beginning of his football journey, displayed remarkable prowess at the youth level before ascending to the first-team ranks.

Originating from Stockport, Phil Foden's connection with City commenced during his early days at the Under-9 level.

Distinguished by his creativity and adeptness with his left foot, Foden, functioning as a midfielder, combined his impeccable vision for passes with the ability to elegantly maneuver past opponents. These attributes were vividly apparent during his tenure in the City Academy.

His participation led him to being a finalist in the FA Youth Cup during the 2016/17 season, even managing to net a goal in the opening leg of the final. Despite his contribution, City faced defeat against Chelsea. Remarkably, he also demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess by finding the back of the net 11 times in the Under-18 Premier League that same season.

His splendid form attracted the attention of none other than Pep Guardiola, who included Foden in the squad for a significant Champions League encounter against Celtic in December 2016.

The subsequent summer witnessed Foden's inclusion in the England Under-17 squad for the European Championships. He left his mark by scoring in the final, although the English team experienced a loss against Spain in a penalty shootout. Foden's dedication and potential were evident as he rejoined City for the pre-season activities and was subsequently part of the first-team's tour of the United States.

Throughout the early phases of the 2017/18 season, Foden showcased his impressive abilities on multiple occasions, earning spots in several matchday squads. Following this, he embarked on a journey to represent England in the Under-17 World Cup held in India. His contributions proved instrumental in England's triumph, with Foden scoring twice in the final and being awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's standout player.

Returning to Manchester, Foden was granted his senior debut in the Champions League against Feyenoord in November 2017. As a replacement for Yaya Toure in the 75th minute, he earned the distinction of being the youngest City player to participate in a European competition.

In a testament to his rapid progression, he further solidified his reputation as the youngest Englishman to start in a Champions League match, featuring in the starting lineup against Shakhtar Donetsk just ten days later. Subsequently, he made his Premier League debut.

Participating in various cameos, Foden contributed to City's conquest of the 2017/18 Premier League title. He extended his commitment to the club by signing a new contract in December 2018, binding him to City until 2024.

The 2018/19 campaign saw Foden securing more playing time, scoring seven goals across 26 appearances as City dominated the English football scene.

Unceasing in his development, Foden continued to shine in the following seasons. Notably, he was named the man of the match in the 2020 Carabao Cup final victory against Aston Villa, and his performances remained integral to City's successes. He earned his first cap for the England national team in September 2020, concurrently maintaining his impactful presence at the club level.

Foden's status as a pivotal member of the first team was evidenced by his substantial number of appearances and goals in the 2020/21 season. This merited him the prestigious PFA Young Player of the Year award, commemorating his exceptional contributions.

The subsequent seasons of 2021/22 and 2022/23 further accentuated Foden's significance to the team, as he accrued more appearances and goals. His energy and finesse perfectly aligned with Pep Guardiola's attacking philosophy, earning him consecutive Young Premier League Player of the Season honors. His prominence was not limited to the club domain; he also earned 15 caps for the England national team by the conclusion of the 2021/22 season.

Beginning the 2022/23 season, Foden underscored his commitment by extending his contract with City until 2027. Subsequently, he made a notable impact in the 2022 World Cup, contributing four appearances and scoring against Wales. This propelled England to the quarter-finals.

Celebrating his 200th senior appearance for City, Foden marked the occasion with a goal and an assist against Bournemouth in February 2023. Further solidifying his legacy, he became the youngest player to achieve 50 Premier League goal involvements for City, a feat accomplished in a match against Newcastle United in March 2023.

An exceptional record-holder, Foden's achievements continued to amass, as he played a pivotal role in City's triumphs across domestic and international competitions. This included instrumental contributions to securing the Premier League title and the FA Cup, as well as being part of the historic Treble-winning team in the Champions League.

The 2023/24 season kicked off with Foden showcasing his instrumental presence in City's Super Cup victory over Sevilla. Playing the entire match, he contributed to the team's triumph in the European spectacle via a penalty shootout.

Key Information:

- Date of Birth: 28 May 2000

- Location: Stockport, Manchester, England

- Nationality: English

- Position: Midfielder

- Joined Manchester City: 1 July 2016