Related items

• Guardiola: Foden can still get better after Player of the Year award

  Pep Guardiola thinks Phil Foden can still get better, after the 23-year-old winning the Premier League’s Player of the Year.

  Foden has been a pivotal part of City’s title challenge this season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists in the top-flight in 2023-24.

  It is the youngster’s most prolific scoring season for City, while only six players have bettered Foden’s goal haul in the Premier League.

  When asked about the strides that Foden has made this season, leading him to the award, Guardiola praised the England international’s influence on the squad.

  "Obviously, he makes a step forward as a football player. In terms of minutes or time, but he's decisive in winning games," Guardiola said.

  "Maybe before it was a glimpse of action, but now it's consistent. That is the truth, but they still have a margin. Sometimes his game is overexcited, it's over, and you have to be more calm because his excitement he has for himself, but we'll have question of time, but this season has been really, really important. Really, really important."

  Foden has bettered his tally of 11 goals from last season and leads City’s squad for chances created this campaign with 68.

  "He's moving forward, but I had the feeling he can be better, and I think he can do it because I've said many times, that he loves football," Guardiola added.

  "He enjoys being on the pitch, and I think the feeling doesn't like when you have the day off.

  "He likes to be in the training session doing less or more and I had the feeling it still can be better."

  Manchester City can win a fourth-consecutive Premier League title on Sunday against West Ham, if they can match or better Arsenal's result.

• Guardiola: Other clubs have a chance to win the title against Man City

  Pep Guardiola believes that other clubs do have the chance to win the Premier League while he is the Manchester City manager. 

  Guardiola has led the Citizens to five top-flight titles in his seven seasons in charge, including each of the last three in a row.

  They have the opportunity to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League campaign – they must match or better Arsenal’s result on the final day against West Ham to finish top of the table.

  Asked what he thought about the narrative that suggested other teams struggle to win the title while he is at City, Guardiola immediately brushed the idea aside.

  He said: "It is wrong, look at the margin. If every season I won by 20 points, then I would say yes I am a genius, I'm so good, but it's not.

  "The Premier League we won against Liverpool they could have won. Arsenal can win, we can win. It's like that.

  "My judgement about the team, about how we behave, nothing changed, nothing changed. My opinion of Liverpool this year has not changed, whether they have won or not won.

  "I know here there is just a prize for the winners and the winners smell good and everyone won a copy and everything, but it's not.

  "It's not the case because behind of arriving here in the last press conference of the season before the last game of the Premier League there are a lot of work, like Liverpool was and Arsenal have been this season."

  Guardiola was also quick to highlight the hard work of everybody at the club during their title challenge.

  "It's not because of what we have done in the past gives you this season, it's completely the opposite," he continued. 

  "There are a lot of work for all departments. How many my backroom staff, the medical department, the physio department, how they care all the seasons, every single few, few injuries.

  "Injuries are always there, but the balance is ridiculous, how good it is, and that's because there is a lot of work, they care about the players and the people, you know, every single day, hours and hours being above the players, you have to do this, you have to do this, you have to do this to be fit. So otherwise, we cannot be where we are."

  The City manager was also asked about his future at the club, and whether he would be continuing past the end of the season.

  "Yeah, I have a contract. I want to be here next season, yes," he added. 

• Man City star Foden scoops Premier League Player of the Year award

  Phil Foden has been named the Premier League's Player of the Year, having been sensational for Manchester City this season.

  Foden has scored 17 goals and provided a further eight assists in the top flight in 2023-24.

  The 23-year-old has been pivotal in City's quest to win an unprecedented fourth Premier League title.

  Pep Guaridola's team head into their final game of the season, in which they face West Ham at home, needing a win to guarantee the crown.

  Only six players have bettered Foden's goal tally, with the attacker enjoying his most profitable scoring season for City.

   

  Foden's 17 goals have come from an expected goals figure of 10, suggesting his finishing has been way above what would have been anticipated based on the quality of chances he has had.

  The England international, meanwhile, has had 99 shots, and leads City's squad for chances created (68).

  "To win this award is an achievement that I am extremely proud of," Foden told Man City's official website.

  "Overall, I've been very happy with the way I have played this season and really pleased that I have been able to contribute with the goals and assists throughout the season.

  "I'd like to thank all of the City staff, coaches and especially my teammates because without them this wouldn’t be possible.

  "And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me as the award means a lot."

  It is the fifth season in a row that a City player has won the award, with Kevin De Bruyne (2019-20, 2021-22), Ruben Dias (2020-21) and Erling Haaland (2022-23) having scooped it previously.