Phil Foden comment after goal vs Nottingham Forest shows extent of his Man City turnaround

Manchester City forward Phil Foden is relishing the start of the new season.

The summer departure of Ilkay Gundogan and an early injury to Kevin De Bruyne have seen the 23-year-old become a key part of Pep Guardiola’s side. Operating out wide but drifting into a number 10 role, Foden has responded by producing three assists in six league games and grabbed his first goal of the season against Nottingham Forest.

It is a far cry from the situation that the young forward found himself in, just over six months ago. Fatigued from the mid-season World Cup, Foden picked up a foot injury in the January derby defeat to Manchester United and spent a month out of the starting XI as he struggled for fitness and form.

Once restored to the City teamsheet, he would respond with sparkling a display against Bournemouth, as well as scoring a brace in the FA Cup win over Bristol City. However, the academy graduate revealed the extent of his challenging time on the sidelines.

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"I feel 100 per cent fit now and comfortable so hopefully I can come back into the team and help them as much as possible." Foden explained, back in February. "It has definitely [been frustrating], it has been one of the lowest parts of my career but everyone goes through them, it's how you react."

Foden continued to be in and out of the side but would end the season on a high, replacing De Bruyne in the Champions League final as City completed their treble. This season has been a different story, though.

The forward has started five of the team’s six games so far and was superb in