Manchester City ushered in a new era at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, but it was a familiar face who stole the spotlight in Philadelphia.
Phil Foden, once again wearing the sky blue with purpose, marked a return to form with a goal and assist in the opening two minutes of City’s 2-0 victory over Morocco’s Wydad AC in their Group G opener at Lincoln Financial Field.
After a difficult previous season marred by injuries and inconsistency, Foden’s lively display suggested a resurgence. He looked sharp from the outset, teeing up Jeremy Doku before expertly curling in the tournament’s fastest goal to give City the perfect start.
“The sun’s out, and I feel like a new player,” Foden told Channel 5 after the match. “This competition is important for all of us. It’s about finding rhythm and sharpness again.”
Foden’s performance could prove vital for a City side looking to bounce back from a rare trophyless campaign. The 25-year-old, who was named both Premier League and PFA Players’ Player of the Year for 2024, had revealed at the end of last season that he had been carrying an ankle injury and battling mentally. He had even considered skipping this tournament to fully recover.
Instead, his performance on Wednesday highlighted just how crucial he may be to City in the post-Kevin De Bruyne era.
Occupying deeper midfield spaces and dictating play, Foden was involved in most of City’s build-up before being substituted after an hour. He became the first Englishman to score in multiple Club World Cup tournaments, underlining his importance and evolution as a player.
“Happy to get on the scoresheet and help the team,” he added. “I stayed alive in the box, the ball came to me, and I finished well. It feels good to start the season this way.”
Manager Pep Guardiola, who saw Rico Lewis sent off late in the game, praised Foden’s maturity and growing influence, calling his performance “really good” and highlighting his role as a holding midfielder.
“Phil looks refreshed,” said Guardiola. “He’s stepping up and showing he can be the heartbeat of this team.”
Reijnders and Cherki Impress on Debuts
City’s summer spending spree brought three new faces, two of whom — Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki — made their debuts in testing conditions.
Reijnders, signed from AC Milan, slotted in as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder and impressed with his energy, intelligence, and ability to break up play. With Rodri still recovering from a serious knee injury, the Dutchman could prove to be an ideal midfield partner in the long term.
“You can sense he’s special,” Guardiola said. “The way he moves and links up in the final third, when he finds his rhythm, he’ll be exceptional.”
Cherki, meanwhile, offered glimpses of flair and creativity. The French forward, 21, showed confidence on the ball but appears more likely to contribute in flashes rather than dictate games like Reijnders.
Another signing, full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, remained on the bench, with Guardiola noting: “Kevin is irreplaceable, but Rayan has incredible close-control ability. It was a tough environment for a debut, but his time will come.”
As City adapt to life without De Bruyne, early signs suggest they may already be shaping a new identity — with Foden at its core.
