Manchester City hero Phil Foden believes his up-turn in form is down to one key decision made by Pep Guardiola.
City were forced to fight back from a goal down against Brentford on Monday night as Neal Maupay gave the London side the lead in the Premier League encounter.
But Foden inspired a brilliant comeback as he scored just before half time to draw things level and went on to complete a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory.
The 23-year-old has now reached 20 goal contributions for the season so far, with 11 goals and nine assists, only three behind his tally for the whole of last season.
Foden is enjoying a fantastic run of form and he has pinpointed the biggest change in his game.
Phil Foden explains why he is playing so much better
Foden believes that manager Guardiola moving him to a central position from playing out on the flanks has been the key factor behind his increased output in front of goal.
“The outcome of the game is what we deserved. Brentford caused us problems,” Foden told BBC Sport after the game. “I’m delighted with the first goal because it came at a good time for us just before half time.
“I’ve been getting goals and assists more recently. I’ve been playing more centrally so I think that’s why. I want to be that player and long may that continue.
“I feel it is [leading to more goals]. Wherever I play in a City shirt, I’ll do a job. I can play off the left or the right or down the middle.”
Foden’s journey to his favourite position
Foden broke through to the City team as a creative midfielder, hailed as the heir to David Silva’s throne, and has always had his sights set on the position.
Yet, for years he has been forced to bide his time. Guardiola has preferred to deploy the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ on the flanks, often explaining that he doesn’t quite yet have the positional sense or the timing to play in such a crucial position.
Yet, the Blues boss always maintained he would play centrally one day and that now appears to be upon us.
Though on paper he was still positioned on the wing, Josko Gvardiol’s high positioning has seen Foden tuck inside to devastating effect. To add to his hat trick, he has five assists in his last six league matches, showing how influential he is in the middle.
With Kevin De Bruyne back to full fitness and Julian Alvarez also in great form, there is serious competition for attacking spots. Foden will almost certainly play out wide again but it’s clear that the middle is now his permanent home.
