Pep Guardiola has given Phil Foden clear instructions over his shooting technique in front of goal

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is seemingly taking on the challenge of improving Phil Foden’s shooting and productivity in front of goal.

The 24-year-old returned to Manchester City’s starting line-up in the central midfield role following a place on the bench against Newcastle, and providing a stellar performance for the club in a 0-4 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League.

With a goal and an assist to his name against the Slovakian club, Foden went on to claim UEFA’s official Player of the Match award on the evening having commanded the game from an attacking midfield role.

Foden’s goal in particular caught the attention of his manager speaking after the game, with the Englishman taking the ball in on the turn from Jeremy Doku, before shifting the ball onto his left foot and placing it along the floor into the bottom corner of Slovan’s net.

Speaking to broadcasters after the 0-4 win, Pep Guardiola indicated that slowly but surely Manchester City are beginning to welcome back the Foden that claimed the Premier League’s Player of the Season award from the last campaign.

“Still it’s not his best (performance). He made a fantastic goal, not shooting strong just passing the ball to the post,” said Guardiola. “Always I say (to him), ‘Pass the ball to the post!’ And he had more chances. Step by step he’s coming back.”

Continuing during his post-match press conference, Pep Guardiola said of Foden, “He had a chance against Inter Milan, and in the last game against Newcastle, like normally last season always it was a goal.

“And he’s starting to not shoot, pass the ball to the post. You don’t have to shoot, he has to make a simple pass to the sides, and Phil can do it. The second goal was perfect for that, and the other ones he shot so strong and didn’t even go to the goal.”

Pep Guardiola closed, “But I have the feeling that he’s getting better, and step by step and of course, Phil is really, really important for us, we need him a lot. And step by step he’s getting to his best.”

With Kevin De Bruyne likely to miss out against Fulham on Saturday afternoon as the Belgian continues his recovery from a groin injury, Phil Foden could be handed another opportunity to impress from the central positions.

For now, Pep Guardiola is often leaning towards the likes of Savinho, Bernardo Silva, and Jeremy Doku for the role on the right of a front-three, recognising that Foden’s capabilities are more suited to the middle of the park.