Phil Foden’s journey at Manchester City reads like a modern football fairy tale. Rising through the ranks of the club’s academy, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder has become synonymous with City’s recent golden era. However, his story has taken an unexpected turn this summer, with former Republic of Ireland international Tony Cascarino suggesting that Arsenal could be a potential destination for the England international.
The speculation surrounding Foden’s future comes at a time when the player himself has been dealing with significant challenges both on and off the pitch. His decision to decline international duty with England earlier this month was telling, with the player citing “a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally” as the primary reason for his absence. This revelation provides a glimpse into the personal struggles that even elite footballers face, reminding us that behind the glamour and success, these are individuals dealing with complex emotional and psychological pressures.
From a purely statistical standpoint, Foden’s 2024/25 season was undoubtedly disappointing by his own lofty standards. Scoring just seven Premier League goals – his lowest tally since the 2019/20 campaign – the midfielder found himself increasingly marginalized as the season progressed. For a player who was crowned the Football Writers’ Player of the Year just the previous season, this dramatic dip in form and influence represents one of the most significant declines in recent Premier League memory.
The contrast is stark and concerning. During his peak seasons, Foden had established himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in world football, combining technical brilliance with an innate understanding of Guardiola’s complex tactical systems. His ability to operate in multiple positions across the front line made him invaluable to City’s success, contributing significantly to their numerous title wins and European campaigns.
However, football is a sport where form and confidence are intrinsically linked, and Foden’s struggles this season appear to stem from deeper issues than mere tactical adjustments or increased competition for places. The ankle injury he’s currently managing adds another layer of complexity to his situation, potentially affecting his training regime and match sharpness.
Cascarino’s suggestion that Arsenal could be interested in Foden is not without merit. The connection between the two clubs runs deep through Mikel Arteta, who spent several years as Guardiola’s assistant at City before taking over at the Emirates Stadium. During his time at City, Arteta would have worked closely with Foden during the player’s formative years, understanding his strengths, weaknesses, and potential better than most managers in the Premier League.
The precedent for such a move exists in the transfers of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both of whom made successful transitions from City to Arsenal under Arteta’s guidance. However, as Cascarino acknowledges, Foden represents a significantly more important asset to City than either of those players did at the time of their departures. The England international has been central to City’s long-term planning, viewed as a cornerstone of the club’s future both domestically and in European competition.
Guardiola’s recent comments about wanting to help Foden return to his best form suggest that the Spanish manager hasn’t given up on the player. Describing him as “a baby boy from the academy” who became “a star with us,” Guardiola’s paternal tone indicates the deep personal investment the club has in Foden’s success. This emotional connection, combined with the player’s obvious talent, makes it difficult to envision City willingly allowing him to leave, particularly to a direct Premier League rival.
Jack Grealish: The £100 Million Question Mark
If Foden’s situation is complex, Jack Grealish’s is arguably even more perplexing. The 29-year-old winger’s omission from City’s Club World Cup squad sent shockwaves through the football community, particularly given his status as one of the most expensive English players in history following his £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021.
Grealish’s journey at City has been characterized by moments of brilliance interspersed with periods of frustration and adaptation. The transition from being the main creative force at Villa to fitting into Guardiola’s intricate tactical system was never going to be straightforward, but few predicted the extent of his struggles during the 2024/25 campaign.
With just three goals and five assists in 33 appearances, Grealish’s output fell significantly short of expectations for a player of his caliber and price tag. These statistics are particularly damning when considered alongside City’s overall disappointing season, which saw them fail to win any major trophies – a rarity in the Guardiola era.
The speculation surrounding Grealish’s behavior off the field has added another dimension to the narrative surrounding his City career. While Guardiola has been quick to defend the player publicly, stating that his Club World Cup omission was purely a tactical decision, the persistent rumors suggest there may be more to the story than meets the eye.
For a player who was once considered one of the most exciting talents in English football, Grealish’s current situation represents a crossroads moment in his career. At 29, he’s entering what should be his peak years, yet he finds himself increasingly marginalized at club level and completely absent from international consideration under new England manager Thomas Tuchel.
The suggestion from former England internationals that a transfer could revitalize Grealish’s career and potentially earn him a recall to the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup highlights the urgency of his situation. For a player who has been capped 36 times by his country and was a key figure in England’s run to the Euro 2020 final, the prospect of missing out on a World Cup would be devastating.
The Broader Context: City’s Evolution and Financial Considerations
The potential departures of both Foden and Grealish must be viewed within the broader context of Manchester City’s evolution as a football club. Under Guardiola’s guidance, City has become accustomed to success, but the 2024/25 season served as a stark reminder that sustained excellence in football is incredibly difficult to maintain.
The club’s significant spending in recent transfer windows has created a squad depth that, while impressive on paper, has also led to increased competition for places and, inevitably, some high-profile casualties. Both Foden and Grealish have found themselves victims of this depth, struggling to maintain consistent starting positions in Guardiola’s rotation system.
From a financial perspective, the potential sales of these players could generate significant revenue for City, particularly if they decide to reinvest in new talent during the summer transfer window. Foden, as an academy graduate, would represent pure profit in terms of Financial Fair Play calculations, while recouping a significant portion of Grealish’s transfer fee would help balance the books after a season without major trophy income.
However, the football implications of such departures extend far beyond mere financial considerations. Both players possess unique qualities that would be difficult to replace, and their intimate knowledge of Guardiola’s systems gives them value that transcends their current form.
The Arsenal Connection: A Realistic Destination?
Arsenal’s emergence as a potential destination for both players adds an intriguing subplot to these transfer sagas. Under Arteta’s management, the Gunners have transformed from a club struggling to qualify for European competition into genuine title contenders, finishing second in the Premier League in consecutive seasons.
The Spanish manager’s familiarity with both players from his time at City could prove decisive in any potential negotiations. Arteta understands the tactical flexibility that both Foden and Grealish can provide, and his track record of successfully integrating former City players into his Arsenal squad suggests he would be confident in his ability to revitalize their careers.
From Arsenal’s perspective, signing either player would represent a significant statement of intent. Both possess the technical ability and Premier League experience that Arteta values, while their availability could provide the additional quality needed to finally overhaul City and Liverpool at the top of the table.
However, the financial implications of such moves cannot be overlooked. Arsenal would need to offer substantial transfer fees and wage packages to convince City to sell to a direct rival, potentially breaking their own transfer records in the process.
International Implications and Future Prospects
The international dimension adds another layer of complexity to both situations. For Foden, his recent struggles have coincided with England’s continued evolution under new management. While his talent is undeniable, consistent club form will be essential if he hopes to maintain his place in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the 2026 World Cup.
Grealish’s international exile is even more concerning, having not featured for England since their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign. At 29, time is running out for the winger to establish himself as a key figure for his country, making the need for regular club football even more pressing.
The 2026 World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents a potential career-defining opportunity for both players. For Foden, it could be his chance to establish himself as one of England’s key players for years to come. For Grealish, it might be his final opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the international stage.
Conclusion: A Summer of Uncertainty
As Manchester City prepare for their Club World Cup campaign, the futures of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish remain shrouded in uncertainty. Both players find themselves at crucial junctures in their careers, with decisions made over the coming months likely to shape their legacies in the game.
For City, the potential loss of both players would represent a significant shift in their squad composition and long-term planning. However, Guardiola’s track record suggests he would adapt his tactics accordingly, potentially opening opportunities for other squad members to step up and make their mark.
The transfer window promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory, with the potential moves of these two high-profile players likely to dominate headlines throughout the summer. Whether they remain at the Etihad Stadium or seek new challenges elsewhere, their decisions will reverberate throughout the Premier League and beyond.
Ultimately, both Foden and Grealish possess the talent to succeed at the highest level of football. Their current struggles at City should not overshadow their obvious abilities, and whichever clubs they represent next season will be acquiring players capable of making significant impacts. The question remains: will they stay and fight for their places at Manchester City, or will they seek fresh starts elsewhere in pursuit of regular football and international recognition?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the summer of 2025 will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the careers of two of English football’s most talented players.
