Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden believes he is edging back toward the kind of form that once made him the Premier League's standout player, speaking ahead of his side's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Foden swept both the Premier League Player of the Season and PFA Player of the Season honours in 2024, a campaign in which he netted a career-high 27 goals across all competitions. Since then, however, the 26-year-old has endured a testing spell, one that ultimately cost him a place in England's squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Signs of a turnaround

There are encouraging indications that the tide is turning. In City's most recent Champions League outing in October, Foden struck a hat-trick and provided an assist as the club dispatched AEK Athens. He pointed to rhythm and regular minutes as the foundations of his revival.

"Consistency, just keep playing regularly, being happy, positive and being in the right positions to score as well," he explained when asked what he needs to recapture his top level. "So hopefully I can get back to that level. I think I'm slightly starting to get back there now in my recent performances."

He added that finding the net breeds belief. "Being involved in goals gives you a lot of confidence and when you're playing regularly as well you kind of just get into a rhythm and a groove."

International silence

Foden revealed he has had no contact with England manager Thomas Tuchel since being omitted from the World Cup squad. Rather than dwell on the snub, he insisted his focus remains on his club duties.

"All I try and do really is focus on my own game and hopefully one day the call-up might come back soon," he said.

The Stockport-born academy graduate, a lifelong City supporter, politely declined to address the Premier League's financial charges against the club. "Respectfully, I'd just like to talk about the game and not answer anything like that."

A familiar voice in the dugout

Foden also reflected on the managerial change at the Etihad, with Enzo Maresca arriving in the summer to succeed the long-serving Pep Guardiola. The transition, he suggested, has been smoother for him than for some teammates because he previously worked under the Italian at youth level.

"I understand him more than the other players because I've worked with him in the past so that helps me try and help the team," Foden said.

Maresca echoed that optimism, praising the midfielder's daily progress while acknowledging the competition for places, particularly from Rayan Cherki.

"I see Phil day by day better and better, for sure, 100 percent. He's going to give us many things this season," the coach said. "I said many times that Phil and Rayan are more or less in the same position, but again, I'm very, very happy with the way Phil is working every day."

With a pivotal European fixture looming in Germany, City will be hoping their homegrown talisman continues his upward trajectory.