Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared that Phil Foden is back after a 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday. The attacking England midfielder scored a brace against the German club in his team’s comprehensive victory.

Foden was voted the Premier League’s best player for the 2023-24 but he could not carry the same form in the last term. The 25-year-old had scored 27 goals in all competitions in 2023-24.

Foden’s twin strikes on Wednesday helped him take his Champions League’s goal-tally to 20 goals. He’s the seventh Englishman to reach that mark and, at 25 years, 161 days, he’s the second-youngest to do so after Wayne Rooney (24 years, 157 days).

“This season, he’s back, yeah, this season,” said Guardiola after victory over Dortmund moved City up to fourth in the Champions League table.

“Not just Phil, all of us, we struggled [last season].

“When Phil is at that level, when playing between the lines, in the pockets, it doesn’t matter what happens.

“He’s a special player, but we need his goals, definitely, and today make, hopefully, the first step to do it. It’s important to have him back.”

Foden could only manage seven goals in the previous season of the Premier League and he would be hoping to get back in England’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania on Friday.

“Thomas is so smart and wise and knows exactly what the national team needs, and I think Thomas knows Phil perfectly,” said Guardiola.

“There’s no person in this country, no one around the world, that doesn’t know his quality and ability.

“England is so lucky to have a mountain of good players, so in this position, there are a lot, and that’s why Phil has to push himself to be better and better and better.

“When we won the fourth Premier League in a row he was the best player in the Premier League.

“He’s a top-class player. We miss him a lot and now you feel he’s back.”