Phil Foden has scored four goals in two games. The timing could hardly be better for a City side short on attacking options.

Saturday's 3-2 win over Ipswich Town brought Foden's first City goal in 307 days. Erling Haaland struck twice that afternoon, and Zian Flemming pulled one back from the penalty spot late on, but the Blues held on to stay top of the Premier League.

Then came Tuesday night at the Etihad. Foden helped himself to a hat-trick as AEK Athens were beaten 5-1 in the Champions League. Rayan Cherki got the fourth after a Foden cut-back.

Walker's Verdict

Kyle Walker, speaking on talkSPORT, did not hold back when assessing his former team-mate.

"Technical ability, Phil Foden is probably the best I've ever seen."

Walker added that he has never played alongside Lionel Messi but has shared a pitch with him, and still rates Foden's natural gifts above all.

"But for God-given talent, what Phil Foden has, it's unbelievable what he can do with a football."

He also returned to a familiar theme: perform for City, and England follows.

"I always revert back to, if Phil Foden plays like he does for Man City, he obviously gets into the England team."

Maresca's Front Line

Enzo Maresca has used Foden in the front line during this spell, including as a false nine against the Greek side. The goals against Ipswich and AEK came from that role: a first-half one-two with Rico Lewis for the opener, a first-time finish into the top left corner from another Lewis pass, and a tap-in from substitute Ryan McAidoo's cross with under 15 minutes left.

After the AEK match, Maresca called Foden one of the finest English players in the game. Foden's own assessment was more measured. He said he still has work to do to reach his best level, believes he is heading in the right direction, and wants to keep working hard for Maresca and the team as he looks to score more regularly this season.

Injury Concerns

City's only defeat of the 2026-27 campaign so far came against Paris Saint-Germain at the Etihad last week, a 4-2 result. Maresca's side have won both games since.

The attacking depth is being tested. Antoine Semenyo is ruled out for around eight weeks with an injury suffered against Ipswich, though Maresca said the scan result was better than first feared and expects him back around December. That leaves Maresca without one of his attacking options for the next two months, with Foden, Cherki and Jeremy Doku among those available in the front line.

Haaland, meanwhile, appeared uncomfortable late in the Ipswich win and missed training before the AEK game. City travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, and Maresca could hand Foden a third successive start.

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