Phil Foden agrees new four-year Manchester City contract despite form struggles

Key facts

• Phil Foden, 25, has reached an agreement in principle on a new four-year contract with Manchester City.
• The new deal extends his stay at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2030, with an option for a further 12 months.
• Foden's current contract was due to expire in June 2027.
• He has made 365 senior appearances for City since his debut at age 17, scoring 110 goals and providing 66 assists.
• Foden has won six Premier League titles, one Champions League, and two FA Cups with City.
• This season, he has scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 46 appearances across all competitions.
• His last goal for City came on December 14; he has not scored since.
• Foden lost his regular starting spot under Pep Guardiola amid off-field struggles that have affected his form.

New deal locks in City's academy star until 2030

Phil Foden has agreed in principle to a new four-year contract with Manchester City, committing his future to the club until the summer of 2030 with an option to extend by a further year. The 25-year-old England midfielder's existing terms were set to expire in June 2027, but both parties have moved to secure an extension that underscores City's enduring faith in their homegrown talent. The agreement comes at a time when Foden's form has dipped markedly. He has not scored since December 14 and has been reduced to a substitute role in recent weeks, including a brief appearance in Monday's 3-3 draw at Everton. Yet the club's decision to negotiate a new deal — rather than wait to assess his recovery — signals a conviction that his struggles are temporary.

Negotiations handled by super-agent Rafaela Pimenta

Foden turned to leading agent Rafaela Pimenta to guide this critical phase of his career, and the Brazilian intermediary handled all negotiations with Manchester City. While formalities remain before the contract is signed, the desire on both sides to continue together means the extension is expected to be finalized in due course. Pimenta's involvement reflects the high stakes of the negotiation. Foden, who joined City's under-nine side and progressed through the academy, is not merely a player but a symbol of the club's youth development pipeline. The new contract represents an investment in that legacy as much as in his on-field contributions.

A career of glittering highs followed by a sharp decline

Foden made his first-team debut at 17 under Pep Guardiola and has since amassed 365 senior appearances, scoring 110 goals and registering 66 assists. His trophy haul includes six Premier League titles, one Champions League, and two FA Cups. Last season he was named Premier League Player of the Season and PFA Players' Player of the Year after a career-best campaign. This season, however, he has managed only 10 goals and five assists in 46 games — a significant drop-off. His last goal for City came on December 14, and he has struggled to recapture the form that made him indispensable. Off-field issues have hampered his performances for the majority of the past two seasons, and Guardiola has increasingly turned to other options, including Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo, who offer more defensive cover.

England World Cup place under threat from Tuchel

Foden's place in England's squad for this summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is not guaranteed. Manager Thomas Tuchel, who has raised doubts about Foden's inclusion, said last month that despite being the only player to start both games in England's final camp before the tournament, his spot is not assured. Foden played in November's World Cup qualifiers and both March friendlies, but his recent performances have disappointed. The midfielder will be hoping that a return to regular football at City can reignite his international prospects. Tuchel's squad selection will be closely watched, and Foden's form between now and the tournament will be critical.

Rooney urges Guardiola to play Foden every game

Former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney has publicly called for Foden to be a regular starter. 'I think you have to put him in the team,' Rooney said on the BBC's Wayne Rooney Show. 'I love watching him play, I love his little movements, how he gets into the pockets of space. It's not nice watching him sitting on the bench.' Rooney acknowledged Foden's bad moments but argued that a player of his quality should be kept in the side. 'When you have a bad moment and you're taken out and put on the sidelines for weeks on end, I just think a player of that quality, you have to just keep playing him.' He contrasted Foden's style with the 'power, pace and raw speed' of Doku and Semenyo, suggesting Guardiola may prioritize defensive help.

Club's faith echoes past patience with struggling stars

City's decision to extend Foden's contract now, rather than wait to see if he recovers his best form, mirrors a strategy they employed with John Stones during his difficult periods. Years ago, the club was willing to let Stones play out the final year of his contract before deciding his future; he eventually earned a new deal after a resurgence. Foden's situation is complicated by his off-field struggles, which have held back his performances for the majority of the past two seasons. City have been 'incredibly supportive' in his attempts to put things right, according to sources close to the club. The new contract is another show of faith in a player who is 'truly important to the club, not just for what he can do on the pitch but for what he represents.'

Outlook: Can Foden rediscover his best form?

The new contract removes immediate uncertainty about Foden's future but does not resolve the question of his role in Guardiola's system. With his place in the starting eleven no longer guaranteed, he must prove he can adapt to the manager's tactical demands while overcoming personal challenges. City's willingness to commit long-term suggests they believe Foden will return to his sparkling best. But the clock is ticking: the World Cup is months away, and every match without a goal or an assist adds pressure. For a player who has achieved so much so young, the next few months will define whether this contract extension marks a new beginning or a costly gamble.

The bottom line

• Phil Foden has agreed in principle to a four-year contract extension with Manchester City, keeping him at the club until 2030 with an option for an extra year.
• The deal comes despite a prolonged dip in form: Foden has not scored since December 14 and has lost his starting spot under Pep Guardiola.
• Foden's off-field struggles have affected his performances for the majority of the past two seasons, but City have shown consistent support.
• His place in England's World Cup squad is uncertain after manager Thomas Tuchel expressed doubts about his form.
• Wayne Rooney has publicly urged Guardiola to play Foden every game, arguing that a player of his quality should not be benched after bad moments.
• The contract extension mirrors City's past patience with John Stones, who recovered from a difficult period to earn a new deal.