Photo via BBC Sport

No Haaland, no problem - can Foden be Man City's alternative goalscorer?

Manchester City’s resurgence under Enzo Maresca has found a new focal point in Phil Foden, whose standout performance in Tuesday’s Champions League win over AEK Athens has reignited discussions about his potential as a primary goalscorer. After a slow start to the season—marked by a red card in the derby against Manchester United in September and a prolonged goal drought—Foden broke his 10-month Premier League scoring dry spell with a strike against Ipswich last weekend.

His form surged further in Athens, where he delivered a match-winning display, scoring a hat-trick and assisting another goal in City’s 5-1 victory. The 26-year-old, who had been sidelined from England’s World Cup squad last summer, embraced the challenge of a fresh season, telling reporters he was eager for a new beginning under Maresca.

His adaptability shone as he moved into a false nine role mid-game, a position Maresca had previously suggested could be a solution for City, and his clinical finishing—including a stunning first-time effort into the top corner—cemented his status as one of the tournament’s standout performers. With Erling Haaland absent due to injury, Foden’s resurgence offers a glimpse of the world-class talent that had once made him a fan favorite, though he remains cautious about his progress, insisting he is ‘slowly, but surely’ returning to his best.

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