A Manchester City midfielder is turning into a leader right before our eyes

Phil Foden has demonstrated a return to his top form in Manchester City's past four matches against Manchester United, Napoli, Arsenal, and Huddersfield Town, where he stood out as one of the team's best players. This resurgence is notable given his well-documented talent as one of the Premier League's elite players, but it also highlights an emerging aspect of his game: leadership within Pep Guardiola's squad.

After overcoming a challenging previous season marred by injuries and performance issues, Foden is now showing confidence and influence on the pitch. He sets the tone for the team through his play and actions, such as directing teammates during matches, which has become particularly important following the departure of key leaders like Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker.

Foden's leadership extends to mentoring younger players from Manchester City's academy, such as Divine Mukasa, who has praised Foden for his encouragement and guidance in helping them adapt to the first team. This supportive role underscores his growing maturity and influence within the squad.

As Foden continues to develop his leadership qualities alongside his exceptional playing skills, he is poised to become even more crucial to Guardiola's side, potentially elevating his impact to a new level.