Phil Foden scored a hat trick to help Manchester City beat AEK Athens 5-1. The playmaker hopes to regain his form after a difficult two-year slump.
Phil Foden led Manchester City to a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens on Tuesday. He scored a hat trick during this Champions League match.
Also, the game took place at the Etihad Stadium. This performance suggests Foden may be ending a long period of poor form.
Next, the 26-year-old player struggled over the last two years. He even spoke publicly about dealing with mental health challenges during that difficult time.
However, Foden recently regained his confidence. He scored a goal in a Premier League game against Ipswich last Saturday.
Then, Foden took advantage of some key injuries within the squad. Erling Haaland started on the bench for this specific match.
Meanwhile, teammate Antoine Semenyo will miss eight weeks due to an injury. These absences allowed Foden to play a major role in the attack.
After that, Foden played on the wing before moving to a false nine position. He looked very comfortable in both roles throughout the night.
Manager Enzo Maresca expressed his happiness with the result. He praised Foden as a top player and a useful weapon for the team.
Still, Foden faced many challenges earlier this season. He received a red card against Manchester United and struggled to earn a starting spot.
Furthermore, England manager Thomas Tuchel likely noticed this performance. Tuchel must soon select his squad for games against Croatia and Spain.
Previously, England excluded Foden from the World Cup roster. This was a low point in his recent career.
Finally, Foden must continue to play well to keep his spot. He needs to show this level of skill on a regular basis for his club and country.