Heading into the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024, Phil Foden is arguably England’s most in-form player. The talented attacking midfielder has been a mainstay in the Manchester City squad for nearly five years despite still being just 24. However, the 2023/24 Premier League campaign has been his best to date.
Foden scored a career-best 27 goals in all competitions during the campaign, 19 of which came in the Premier League as the Blues won their fourth successive title, beating rivals Arsenal and Liverpool. With the European Championships looming, we meet the man carrying the weight of a nation’s hopes on his shoulders.
Age and early life
Philip Walter Foden was born on 28 May 2000. He hails from Stockport, a small town on the outskirts of Manchester, and has been a Blues fan all his life. With so much football in the area, it’s no surprise that he grew up immersed in the local football culture and dreamed of playing the great game for a living.
Showing exceptional talent from an early age, Foden joined Manchester City’s youth academy at the age of eight and became one of the academy’s brightest stars. He even shone as a youngster for his country, helping the Young Lions win the 2017 Under-17 World Cup.
Family and personal life
Phil Foden is in a long-term relationship with Rebecca Cooke, who he met as a teenager. The pair have kept their relationship fairly private, keeping a low profile despite the City star’s growing fame.
They have a son named Ronnie Foden, born in January 2019, and a daughter, True Foden, born in late 2021. Foden often shares moments of his family life on social media, showcasing his role as a devoted father and partner.
Career Highlights and Stats
Foden made his Manchester City first-team debut in November 2017 in a Champions League tie against Feyenoord. Since then, he has amassed an impressive list of trophies and milestones. By the end of the 2023/24 season, he had made 270 appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 87 goals and providing 53 assists. And if that wasn’t enough, he has won every trophy there is to win at club level.
The 24-year-old is a six-time Premier League winner, two-time FA Cup winner and four-time League Cup winner. He led Manchester City to the promised land last season when they beat Inter Milan in Istanbul to lift the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. Now all that remains is for Foden to repeat his success on the international stage.
UEFA Euro 2024
Foden’s international career has also blossomed, having represented England at various youth levels before making his senior debut in September 2020. He has since become a regular in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad, earning 33 caps and featuring at Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With Euro 2024 looming, Betfair have made England favourites for glory at odds of 7/2. The betting giant has made France – who knocked England out of the last World Cup in the quarter-finals – the second favourites to beat if the Three Lions are to win a major trophy for the first time since 1966. You can find out more about Betfair on Oddschecker, including details of their ongoing offer of up to £40 in free bets that can be used towards the European Championship.
For Foden, the onus is on him. Along with the talented Jude Bellingham, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka and captain Harry Kane, there is great hope that this could be his year. If those four play to their potential, football could finally come home.
Net worth and salary
Foden’s net worth is estimated to be around £25 million. This huge sum comes from his lucrative contract at the Etihad Stadium, endorsement deals and various investments. His current salary is said to be £200,000 a week, which could increase in the coming years. His marketability off the pitch, as demonstrated by his endorsement deals with Nike, has boosted his income significantly.
