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Phil Foden has reached an agreement in principle on a new long-term contract with Manchester City, extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium until 2030, with an option for an additional year.
The 25-year-old midfielder's current deal was set to expire next summer, but the new agreement underlines a shared commitment between player and club despite a challenging run of form. Foden has not found the net since December 14 and has struggled to make a consistent impact in recent months.
He made a substitute appearance in City's 3-3 draw against Everton on Monday, a result that leaves City five points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race, although they still have a game in hand.
Foden will also be looking to secure his place in England national football team manager Thomas Tuchel's squad for the upcoming World Cup. Tuchel recently suggested that no player's place is guaranteed, even though Foden featured prominently in England's final preparations before the tournament.
Since making his debut at just 17 under Pep Guardiola, Foden has become a key figure for City. He has made 365 appearances for the club, winning six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and two FA Cups.
Despite his recent dip in form, Wayne Rooney believes Foden should remain a regular starter. Rooney has praised his intelligence, movement, and creativity, arguing that players of his quality benefit from consistent game time rather than being rotated out of the lineup.
Foden's role within the team has evolved in recent seasons. While he enjoyed a standout 2023 to 2024 campaign, scoring 27 goals and providing 12 assists during City's Treble-winning run, his influence has shifted. The emergence of wide players such as Jérémy Doku and Antoine Semenyo has added pace and directness to City's attack, often supplying Erling Haaland.
At the same time, players like Rayan Cherki have been preferred in advanced creative roles. As a result, Foden has occasionally been deployed deeper, limiting his opportunities to score or provide decisive passes.
While his overall appearance count remains high, his minutes and starts have been less consistent, placing him on the fringes of City's title push. Even so, the new contract signals that Guardiola and the club continue to value his talent and see a long-term role for him moving forward.
