'I came back' - How Phil Foden started smiling again at Man City

For Phil Foden, a rest has been as good as a change - and the change was sorely needed. The boyhood Blue was plucked from Manchester City's academy by Pep Guardiola at the age of 16 and became the best player in the Premier League under him, but things had gone stale. As much as Foden has to thank Guardiola for, their partnership would never hit the heights of the 2023/24 campaign again. The playmaker suffered from physical and mental burnout that scuppered the next season, and last year after a promising start he faded again.