Fresh from barking instructions as an auxiliary coach during anxious final moments down at Brentford, Rodri was back in the Manchester City dressing room as part of the extended backroom staff on Saturday.
He’d been hopping about in the technical area at the Gtech, even after tweaking a hamstring an hour before, in scenes to underline the midfielder’s leadership within this group.
A fortnight later, in the City tunnel – sporting a smart denim jacket, it must be said – Rodri was getting around team-mates as they went in goalless against Everton.
Pep Guardiola gently interrupted and began delivering detailed instructions to Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly.
Even though Iliman Ndiaye threatened to make this all about him, regularly taking several defenders for walks, dazzling in front of the ineligible Jack Grealish – sat in the posh bit with Puma executives – City had clearly earmarked the Senegalese’s side to exploit.
Ndiaye didn’t offer Jake O’Brien a major amount of protection and Guardiola wanted the two academy graduates to take advantage. Within 13 minutes of the restart, Erling Haaland was thundering in a header from an exquisite O’Reilly cross from an area manufactured by Foden.
Phil Foden may not be among the goals and assists but is making a huge impact for Man City
Erling Haaland scored twice as City earned a comfortable 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday
Pep Guardiola identified Everton’s right-flank as a weak spot defensively and exploited it
Foden, along with a handful of others, rushed to congratulate the left back rather than Haaland.
In netting a scarcely believable 23rd of the season for club and country, the Norwegian had a second shortly after, sweeping Savinho’s cutback underneath Jordan Pickford. Also a move instigated by Foden, discombobulating Everton with a crossfield clip.
Foden will not chalk up any goal contributions for these. And he only has one in the Premier League – although that would have doubled had Haaland mopped up a super through ball in stoppage time.
Regardless, this is becoming a common theme, the heartbeat of City’s midfield doing the bits less noticed, the pass that unlocks without becoming the main highlight.
A reinvigorated Foden is good for City and should be good for England as they begin to map out the summer in North America. Believe it or not, there are some who don’t think he will be worthy of a spot at the World Cup. Stay vigilant, these people actually walk among us.
This is a fine resurgence and that Thomas Tuchel opted against picking him for the October internationals felt a little confusing – albeit the German’s argument of wanting to retain some consistency in selection had some merit on some level if you are that way inclined and he will point to the results as vindication.
Yet if Foden isn’t part of the November squad then it is a different matter entirely. England need their best players together now, nine months out, and Foden is one of their brightest. From a technical standpoint, there are very few above him. If any.
‘He’s more mature,’ Guardiola said. ‘He’s smiling and his body language in training sessions is fantastic. He always creates something. Phil has made a step up and played like he does, like we remember in the past. Phil will be better. He’ll be like a good wine. With time, he’ll be better.’
Guardiola heaped praise on Foden for his body language in training sessions after the match
Foden was not part of Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England camp but will hope to return soon
David Moyes was right to call Iliman Ndiaye (right) the best player on the pitch before half time
David Moyes conceded that the opener resembled ‘textbook City’, so hardly a surprise that Foden was right in the middle of it. Everton’s manager described Ndiaye as the best player on the pitch before the break – a correct assessment – before insisting that he was then overtaken by Foden, also a correct assessment.
These have been the signs of resurgence for a few weeks, starting with the Manchester derby in September, and an intensifying competition for places – Rayan Cherki is now back from injury – may well act as another lightning rod for somebody who appears to have emerged from the other side of a tough 12 months.
Guardiola has recently praised Foden’s bravery in admitting to difficulties with his mental health last season – also reminding pundits and fans that 2024-25 was the first real blip of his career – and looks as if he can rely on the 25-year-old more. He’ll need to, because Guardiola is less than pleased at a lack of productivity inside the box from his wingers.
Foden could play anywhere, of course, yet his manager wants him closer and closer to Haaland as they rekindle a relationship that went off the boil.
‘Listen, I admire a lot the old generation who use the common sense much more than now,’ Guardiola said. ‘This new generation, we rely a lot on wide angle (footage), the data and this kind of stuff. The common sense is that he’s a talented player for goals and assists, get him close to the box. Don’t explain to me any other theories than that.’
