Foden's Stellar Performance Sparks Man City's New Era

Manchester City's new era at the revamped FIFA Club World Cup began with a standout performance from academy graduate Phil Foden, who scored and assisted in their 2-0 victory over Wydad AC in Group G.

Foden's Resurgence

The England international, who struggled with form and injuries last season, opened the scoring just two minutes into the match at Lincoln Financial Field. His early goal - the fastest in the tournament so far - showcased renewed confidence as he calmly placed his shot into the far corner.

"A new season, fresh me," Foden told Channel 5 post-match. "Playing for City comes with expectations to perform every game. Last season was rough, but we're ready to go again."

Manager Pep Guardiola praised Foden's "really good" performance in a deeper midfield role, suggesting the 25-year-old could be key in filling the void left by Kevin De Bruyne's departure.

Post-De Bruyne Transition

Foden's dominant display (54 touches before being substituted) offered promising signs for City's future without their Belgian playmaker. The 2024 Premier League Player of the Season:

• Dictated tempo throughout the match
• Created dangerous opportunities
• Became the first Englishman to score in multiple Club World Cup editions

His performance suggested Guardiola may have found an internal solution to replace De Bruyne's creative influence.

New Signings Impress

City's £100m+ summer signings made promising debuts in challenging Philadelphia conditions:

Tijjani Reijnders

The Dutch midfielder showcased:

• Excellent positional awareness
• Strong defensive contributions
• Progressive passing ability

Guardiola praised his potential: "You smell it - a really good player. When he gets the rhythm he will be top."

Rayan Cherki

The 21-year-old French forward:

• Displayed flashes of creativity
• Showed technical quality in tight spaces
• Needs time to adapt to City's system

While City finished with 10 men after Rico Lewis' late red card, the performance provided positive signs for their Club World Cup campaign and beyond.