Foden hat-trick in Champions League win over AEK Athens highlights false-nine option for Man City
Phil Foden scored a hat-trick and added an assist in Manchester City's 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens, pressing his case as a false-nine alternative to the rested Erling Haaland.
Phil Foden's man-of-the-match display in Manchester City's 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens served as a reminder of the talent that had gone quiet over two difficult seasons. Foden, 26, had admitted failing to reach expected heights, and being left out of England's World Cup squad last summer did not help. He entered this season speaking of a "fresh start" under new manager Enzo Maresca, though it began slowly, including a red card for kicking out at Bruno Fernandes in September's derby against Manchester United.
Foden sparked into life with a goal against Ipswich on Saturday, his first Premier League strike in 10 months, then scored a superb hat-trick against Athens. He also provided an assist, becoming only the third Englishman to record a hat-trick and an assist in a Champions League match, after Wayne Rooney for Manchester United in 2004 and former City team-mate Raheem Sterling in 2019. His second goal, a first-time finish into the top corner from just inside the area, drew particular praise.
Maresca made eight changes from the Ipswich win, retaining Gianluigi Donnarumma, Ruben Dias and Foden. Erling Haaland was in the squad but given the night off after a blow to the foot in the previous game, allowing Maresca to test his suggestion that Foden could offer a "solution" as a false nine. Foden started on the right before moving centrally and said he "really enjoyed" the role. A brief scare came when the visitors pulled one back to trail 2-1 early in the second half, but City pulled clear by the final whistle.
Foden told TNT Sports he was returning to form "slowly, but surely" and that scoring helps his confidence. Maresca said he had been happy with Foden even before the red card and repeated that he considers him one of the best English players. Former City defender Joleon Lescott, speaking on TNT Sports, said Foden's finishing was exquisite and that he had convinced the manager he is the man to play at number nine if Haaland is unavailable.
On BBC Radio 5 Live, former England winger Ashley Young said Foden took his chances "with both hands" and that his confidence would be sky high, adding that Maresca would be pleased not to have needed Haaland or Jeremy Doku. Young described the lineup as no second string and said Foden is answering his manager's questions. Foden scored 19 goals in City's 2023-24 title win and was named PFA player of the year and Premier League player of the season, but ended last season without a goal in his final 31 games for club and country before signing a new four-year deal in July.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
