‘New season, fresh me’ – Foden shines after ‘rough’ ride

At the revamped Fifa Club World Cup, Manchester City entered a new era, but it was one of their former stars who won in Philadelphia.

In their Group G opener, Moroccan club Wydad AC defeated academy star Phil Foden 2-0 despite his team’s form and fitness last season.

The first signs point to an England international returning to his best form after only scoring seven times last season at the Premier League, which Lincoln Financial Field is seeing.

Foden could play a key role in City’s chances of success in the competition with his starring role on Wednesday.

The tournament is extremely important to both the players and me, not just for me. In this intense competition, it is crucial to now improve your sharpness.

There are expectations for performance in every game playing for a club like City. That pressure is something I’ve always felt. We had a rough last season, but it’s about to end this year.

Foden revealed that he had been struggling and having an ankle injury at the end of last season, which City finished with for the first time in eight years without a major trophy.

He also believed that if he wanted to fully recover from the injury, it might be better to miss out on the American competition.

The 25-year-old, who won the 2024 Premier League Player of the Year and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, will undoubtedly be relieved to have skipped the occasion.

As Foden played a significant portion of City’s game against the north African side, he was quick to pick the ball, filling voids outside the box, and looking to control the tempo.

His opener, which was the competition’s fastest goal thus far, bore the traits of a player who had taken a step back and caressed a fine finish into the far corner.

Foden appears to be feeling more like he’s found freedom in “Philly,” and that he’s stepping up in the post-Kevin de Bruyne era’s first game.

In Foden, Guardiola may have the best choice in replacing the legendary Belgian midfielder, who signed for Napoli for free.

Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, two of whom started on their debuts, set up Guardiola’s stall for this competition by signing three players for more than £100 million.

Dutchman Reijnders described himself as “box-to-box” number eight prior to the game, and there were already indications that he would be bringing something to this City side.

After the Spaniard’s serious knee injury in September, City struggled without Rodri’s presence in the middle of the park, but they may have found the ideal match for the Ballon d’Or winner.

Reijnders’ athleticism and ability to read the game clearly demonstrated his ability to snuff out attacks while also being able to pick out a pass and drive the side forward. He appears to have given City’s midfield, which was frequently unproductive last term, much-needed energy.

Guardiola acknowledged that “you feel and smell it, a really good player.” When he finds the rhythm, he will be at the top, according to the coach, “the pace and in the final third with the ball.”

Cherki, a French forward, showed his creativity with some eye-catching flashes on the ball, but he may be a player who doesn’t dominate the play like Reijnders, but he may be one who creates eye-catching moments in games.