Phil Foden has been in talks with Manchester City over a new deal that could run until 2027. The English playmaker joined the club at U9 level and is now 22 years of age, so he’s been at City for 13 years. His new deal will take that up to 18 years and will see him at the Etihad until he’s 27 – peak age for a football.
Paul Robinson believes Foden could stay at the Etihad for his entire career, however, so long as they keep winning trophies. He doesn’t believe Foden has to join another side for silverware, though he concedes that Pep Guardiola’s eventual departure might make a difference.
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Robinson told Football Insider: “Why would you leave Man City? Where would you go? He is a local lad and the club have always shown great ambition. They are up there challenging at the end of every season. You could not be at a better club in this country.
“Yes, the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona are a huge draw because they are the biggest clubs in the world. But does he want to play in La Liga? I cannot see it. There is every chance that he will be a one-club man. Pep Guardiola will not be there forever though. Foden’s future may depend on what manager comes in to replace Guardiola.”
The 22-year-old has made 179 appearances in all competitions, scoring 48 goals with 35 assists. He’s coming off the back of two outstanding seasons at City, scoring 16 goals with 10 assists from 50 games in 2020/21 and scoring 14 goals and 11 assists from 45 games in 2021/22, so Foden’s stock couldn’t be much higher right now.
And while the midfielder is happy to stay for another few years, whether he’ll spend his entire career in Manchester remains to be seen – Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus surprised many by leaving in the same transfer window just months after winning the Premier League title. Foden should have more than ten years of his career left too, so it’s unlikely he’ll retire at his boyhood side.
In other news, bad news for Pep Guardiola as John Stones picks up injury ahead of Man Utd clash
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