Phil Foden makes major Manchester City transfer admission

Manchester City’s Phil Foden says he “believed in the process” when discussing the possibility of entertaining a move away from the club earlier in his career.

The 23-year-old is now a vital part of Manchester City’s system and the ongoing success being experienced at the Etihad Stadium through the work implemented by head coach and manager Pep Guardiola.

However, things were not so smooth for the academy graduate during his first few seasons with the first-team at Manchester City, often being forced to watch on from the sidelines and take opportunities from the bench and in domestic cup competitions.

Such were the doubts over whether Foden would remain a part of the Manchester City project, that there were discussions concerning a possible loan move away from the Etihad Stadium to secure more consistent first-team game time in the European game.

Ultimately, Foden has been reaping the rewards for his patience more and more as his career moves forward, taking the reins from the likes of David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan in the centre of the park for Manchester City.

However, speaking during an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Phil Foden has admitted that he never considered leaving Manchester City for more game time earlier in his career, trusting the process overseen by Pep Guardiola and his staff.

“I never, ever had an intention of leaving. I think I believed in what the manager was saying,” Foden explained. “I believed in the process. When I wasn’t playing, I knew there was better players in front of me.”

The Manchester City playmaker continued, “And I knew the more I grew up and the longer time that went, there’d be opportunity for me.”

Despite being just 23-years-old, and many perceiving Foden to be a fresh young talent within the Premier League, the playmaker is already one of the most decorated footballers in England and at Manchester City.

With 270 Manchester City appearances to his name, Foden has scored 87 goals across competitions for the football club in his eight seasons as a first-team player, winning a staggering 17 major trophies in the process.