Foden Shines, City Face Summer Exodus Challenge

Phil Foden has returned to near his best, scoring and creating in Manchester City's Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield and impressing in recent games against Arsenal, Manchester United and Napoli. Pep Guardiola said Foden is happiest and most dangerous playing centrally as a No.10 close to the box, while also being tried in wider and deeper roles as City manage rotations. Foden’s improved form has coincided with sustained fitness — five games in a row — and careful management of his minutes, and he has shouldered more creative responsibility following departures such as Kevin De Bruyne. Guardiola rotated heavily in the cup, blooding academy talents including Divine Mukasa and the Heskey brothers and praising their contributions. City face a longer-term challenge after a summer exodus of title-winning experience, meaning Guardiola must find new ways to win with a less experienced squad.