In the wake of reclaiming our fifth Premier League title, retaining the Carabao Cup for a fourth successive year and reaching our first Champions League final, it’s fair to say the 2020/21 campaign will live long in the memory for City.
And one of the key cornerstones in helping secure those superb achievements was the irresistible contribution of Foden.
A proud product of City’s famed Academy, the Stockport-born youngster enjoyed his most memorable season at the Club to date, with his vision, work rate, goals and all-round application coalescing to superb effect.
Foden is also a key part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad who kick off their 2020 European Championship finals campaign this afternoon with an eagerly-anticipated Wembley encounter against World Cup finalists Croatia.
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Here we delve into some of the standout stats behind Foden’s magnificent campaign, and the key role he played in helping Pep Guardiola’s squad both reclaim the Premier League crown and retain the Carabao Cup in such memorable fashion.
THE AWARDS
Foden’s remarkable impact was justifiably recognised with two prestigious high profile individual awards which only further bolstered the 21-year-old’s growing trophy cabinet
The City youngster’s crucial impact and influence on a magnificent season for the Club was officially recognised by his peers last weekend when Foden was voted as the PFA Young Player of the Year.
It’s an award cherished by the players given it carries a ringing endorsement from their professional colleagues.
The PFA Young Player of the Year honour capped a memorable weekend for the City star, coming a little over 24 hours after Foden had also been voted as the Premier League Young Player of the Season.
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It marked a notable and prestigious double and was just recognition for a superb season.
GOAL STANDARD
There are, of course, numerous standout qualities to Foden’s individual game but his growth and development can perhaps be best measured by his significant goal output across the 2020/21 campaign.
A free-flowing, graceful footballer, Foden crucially marries those superb qualities with devastating end product.
A hugely impressive haul of nine goals across the course of City’s league season marked Phil’s highest return yet in the Premier League.
And Foden supplemented that total with seven further strikes across the course of our Champions League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup campaigns.
A compelling part of City’s attacking armoury, he also conjured up numerous spectacular strikes along the way.
Meanwhile, his technical versatility was also demonstrated by the fact that four league goals came with his right foot and five with his left.
50 UP
Foden‘s impact was further emphasised by the fact he conjured up 50 appearances in total across all competitions for City.
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Along with chalking up 28 games all told in the Premier League, Foden was involved either as a starter or from the bench in all 13 of City’s Champions League matches.
Meanwhile he figured in five of our FA Cup games and made four appearances in our successful defence of the Carabao Cup.
All told, Phil clocked up 3,374 minutes - yet another hugely impressive stat in what was a season like no other.
BIG GAME HUNTER
Over the course of a relentless campaign, City had no shortage of huge, high pressure matches to navigate.
And it was striking how the bigger the stakes, the more Foden appeared to thrive.
Arguably that big game hunger was never more evident than in our magnificent 4-1 league triumph at Liverpool in early February.
Anfield had proved to be an unhappy hunting ground for the Club for many seasons with City last tasting success there in 2003 prior to the 2020/21 campaign.
But Pep Guardiola’s side more than exorcised those demons with a spellbinding display in early February.
And Foden was at the heart of a sensational City performance, capping a memorable man-of-the-match contribution with a fabulous second half finish to set the seal on what was a win for the ages.
Phil also thrived in the pressure cooker environment of our Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund.
Not content with netting a vital later winner at the Etihad to secure a 2-1 triumph in the first leg, Foden then turned up trumps again in the decisive second leg at the Westfalenstadion.
Foden capped another wonderful performance by firing home a second half winner to seal our place in the semi-finals, sparking scenes of unbridled joy amongst players and staff.
SILK AND STEEL
As is the hallmark with any great player, Foden again demonstrated his desire and commitment to dig in and do the hard yards to aid the Club’s quest for success.
One of the eye-catching hallmarks of City’s success this term was our collective desire and endeavour and that was personified in Foden’s commitment to the cause.
Foden married his artistry and sublime creativity with some sterling defensive duties.
His 22 tackles, 12 blocked shots, 11 interceptions, along with 10 clearances, offer a compelling signpost as to the Foden’s admirable work ethic.
Add to that a tally of 72 recoveries, 16 aerial battles won together with 110 duels won and it further illustrates the way Foden rolls up his sleeves up in the heat of battle.
