Negotiations over the prospective new deal have been ongoing for three months and Foden has continued to play a starring role for his boyhood club in that timespan.

Early discussions have been aiming at a six-year deal that will keep him at the club until 2027.

It is common knowledge that Guardiola thinks highly of the 21-year-old and the Catalonian is keen to reward him with a new deal that underlines his importance to the side.

In a tweet posted on Wednesday morning, Romano said: “Talks are progressing between Manchester City and Phil Foden’s camp over [a] new contract. Negotiations have been going on for three months and feelings are ‘optimistic’.

“Pep Guardiola wants Foden to be [a] key part of Man City future project.”

Foden has had a fantastic start to the 2021-22 season with the Manchester club and recently picked up the Man of the Match for England in their 5-0 World Cup qualifier win against Andorra.

Previous to the international break, he was named City’s Man of the Match for his starring role in the 2-2 away draw with Liverpool.

Foden was integral to the Cityzens’ attack throughout the game and scored to bring them level after Sadio Mané’s opener.

His five appearances for the Premier League champions so far this season has yielded no more than his goal against the Reds, but his impact stretches beyond goals and assists.

The England international is a focal point for Pep Guardiola’s team in the final third and his 48.28 passes attempted and 81% pass completion per 90 over the last 365 days underlines this.

Foden’s skills on the ball are worth taking note of as well as the winger makes 7.6 progressive carries per 90 and is a threatening figure for defences across the league.

With a new deal on the horizon, more of this can be expected for seasons to come.

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The two teams met on Sunday and Foden troubled the Liverpool defence throughout the game, scoring his side’s first goal to cancel out Sadio Mané’s opener.

The 20-year-old had played a big part in City’s dominant showing in the first half and came close to opening the scoring, being denied by Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson from close range.

The winger linked up well with Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva as their team took control of proceedings in the first half after a strong start from the hosts.

Right-back and former Manchester City player James Milner struggled to keep up with Foden as the Englishman put in a performance rivalled only by Liverpool forward Mo Salah – the pair shared Sky’s Man of the Match award.

For his goal, Foden found comfort in the space Milner had left as the Reds’ defence narrowed and the number 47 made no mistake with his strike into the bottom corner to bring his side level.

Foden praised his side’s character following the conclusion of the game: “It’s very difficult to come here with the fans, it’s one of the most difficult places to come to and I feel we dealt with it very good today.

“It was end to end at times, it was such a brilliant game, on another day we could have come away with the three points.

“It shows our character. We’ve not won here a lot, but we carried on with our football after going behind and we played really well today.”

Manager Pep Guardiola was also impressed with his side’s performance and labelled Foden as a “special player.”

“Phil is a special player, we know it,” Guardiola said. “Fortunately he’s back now, he’s a fantastic player but not just him; Rodri, Gabriel, everyone was fantastic today.”

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Liverpool and Manchester City faced off today in what was one of the most important games of the season for both clubs.

Liverpool in particular were badly in need of a win. Poor results in recent weeks have seen them drop to 4^th in the table, leaving them 7 points behind top of the league City prior to the game.

FIRST HALF

The match kicked-off at a decent pace, but as has been the story for many high profile fixtures this season, neither team could find a spark to truly ignite the game.

Liverpool had the first big chance of the game in the 25^th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold did brilliantly down the right-hand flank to beat his man and produce a whipped cross into the path of Sadio Mane. The Senegal international blazed his header over the bar, though. He should have done better with the chance.

Just minutes later Roberto Firmino had a half-chance on the volley from the edge of the box which he struck with venom but Ederson was there to tip it over the bar and avert the danger.

Manchester City undoubtedly had the best chance of the half in the 36^th minute. Raheem Sterling took on and beat Alexander-Arnold and ventured into the box before being brought down by Fabinho. The referee pointed to the spot and City were awarded the penalty.

Ilkay Gundogan stepped up to take the penalty. The German has been in tremendous form in recent weeks so Liverpool fans could be forgiven for thinking the worst.

He, however, fired his penalty well over the bar to the relief of Liverpool.

Both teams struggled to create chances after the penalty miss and the first half finished scoreless.

SECOND HALF

It didn’t take long for Ilkay Gundogan to atone for his penalty miss, the midfielder scored less than 5 minutes into the second half to put his side ahead.

He hit the net after further good work from Raheem Sterling who found his way into the box after beating his man, he squared to Phil Foden who had his shot saved but Gundogan made no mistake from the rebound, hammering his effort into the goal. The German now has 5 goal contributions in his last 5 games.

Liverpool had a chance to score themselves minutes afterwards. Alexander-Arnold played a typical pinpoint cross-field ball into the path of Curtis Jones. The latter then advanced into the box and tried to finesse the ball into the corner with a shot but it went just wide.

Ruben Dias has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving from Portugal but the Manchester City centre-back was at fault as he brought down Mohamed Salah in the box which resulted in a Liverpool penalty chance.

Salah was fouled and he also stepped up to take the penalty. Unlike Gundogan earlier in the match, Salah had no problems converting his penalty kick. He struck high into the net, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-1.

John Stones had the ball in the back of the Liverpool net in the 70^th minute but after a brief celebration, the goal was ruled out for offside.

They didn’t have to wait long for another goal though, Ilkay Gundogan scored his second in the 72^nd minute to make it 2-1 to City. Alisson made the mistake as he attempted to play out from the back but his pass was blocked by Phil Foden and he did brilliantly to evade numerous challenges in the box before squaring for Gundogan to tap home.

Alisson’s woes wouldn’t stop there, though. The Brazilian goalkeeper gave the ball away for a second time in just a matter of minutes, and again, he was punished for it. This time Bernardo Silva collected the ball and chipped into Raheem Sterling who easily dispatched of the chance from a yard out.

Phil Foden, who had been mesmerizing all game, managed to get in on the action himself in the 82^nd minute. What a goal it was as well. The England international received the ball on the edge of the box before cutting inside and blasting the ball into the top corner.

The match finished 4-1 after an incredible second half performance from Manchester City and Phil Foden in particular.

Although not out of the title race just yet, it could require a small miracle for Liverpool to reclaim top spot this season having now fallen behind City by 10 points – who also have a game in hand.

City, on the other hand, are looking like hot favourites for the title at this stage of the season.

A 𝙃𝙐𝙂𝙀 win for @ManCity #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/rhPEvmsFpJ

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 7, 2021

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Mikel Arteta has come under scrutiny this season for his side’s domestic form which has seen Arsenal drop to 15^th in the Premier League table. Losses against Burnley, Everton and Wolves in recent weeks have contributed to their position in the table.

His side took on Manchester City tonight in a crucial Carabao Cup quarter-final. The occasion was all the more significant given recent suggestion that Mikel Arteta’s job could be on the line.

Arteta opted to rest several key players, perhaps with the hectic Christmas schedule in mind. Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, played a near full strength XI – making Arteta’s job all the more difficult. Pep’s decision paid dividend as his side ran out comfortable 4-1 winners, thus increasing the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s shoulders.

FIRST HALF

City didn’t take long to strike, either. Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring just 2 minutes into the game. In truth, the goal could have easily been prevented. Poor anticipation from the Arsenal defenders and goalkeeper Alex Rúnarsson gifted Jesus a tap in from a Oleksandr Zinchenko cross.

The return of Gabriel Martinelli has provided much needed hope for Arsenal fans. The young Brazilian has been out injured since June, missing a host of games in the process. He marked his first start since injury with an assist in the 32^nd minute for Alexandre Lacazette. Martinelli looped a great cross into the box which was then finished off by the head of the Frenchman for the equalizing goal.

Gabriel Jesus had a great chance to put City back into the lead in the 40^th minute but he was kept out brilliantly by the Arsenal keeper. The Brazilian was played in after a neat one-two with Phil Foden but Rúnarsson came out on top in the one on one.

The first half ended 1-1 despite Manchester City dominating in terms of possession. Arsenal would have been happy with their first half display despite not creating many chances.

SECOND HALF

Manchester City retook the lead in the 54^th movie, owing again to a mistake from the Arsenal keeper. Mahrez lined up a free kick at the edge of area and his shot went straight at Rúnarsson but to his misfortune the ball slipped through his hands and into the net.

Phil Foden increased City’s advantage just minutes later with a delicate chip over the keeper. Fernandinho did well in the build-up before playing through Foden who put the finishing touches on the move. The England international has now scored 2 goals from as many games in the Carabao Cup having scored against Bournemouth earlier in the campaign.

Foden was involved again as City got their 4^th in the 72^nd minute. He floated an accurate ball into the box which was met by the head of Aymeric Laporte who couldn’t miss from close range.

The scoring stopped there as Manchester City advanced to the semi-finals. Their opponents are yet to be revealed with further games to be played.

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