Phil Foden put on a clinic against AEK Athens in the Champions League, scoring three goals in Manchester City's 5-1 demolition. Yet he walked away downplaying the performance. Foden said he remains a long way from his best form, despite the hat trick showing he's heading in the right direction.
The message here matters. Foden isn't new to these peaks and valleys. City fans know his ceiling sits higher than what we saw Tuesday, even with three goals. He's been inconsistent this season, which makes his own assessment credible rather than false modesty. When a player of his caliber tells you he's got more to give, he usually means it.
City put five past a weak opponent, which inflates individual numbers. But Foden's finishing was sharp, and he's clearly working back toward the version that terrorized defenses last season. Pep Guardiola has the luxury of letting him round into form across multiple competitions. Against stronger Champions League sides down the road, we'll get a clearer read on whether Foden has truly recovered his rhythm or if Tuesday was simply a nice result against inferior competition.