Phil Foden, midfielder for Manchester City, believes the chance to make further history with his boyhood club motivates him as the treble winners prepare for the Fifa Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Foden has already acquired an incredible collection of medals at the age of 23, including five Premier League crowns, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and a Uefa Champions League. Earlier this season, City defeated Sevilla to win their first Uefa Super Cup, and next week they will attempt to cap off an incredible 12 months of trophy-hunting with their first ever worldwide championship.

It’s a long way from Foden’s early days with City – he’s been with the club since he was four years old – when they could only dream of winning so much significant silverware. On a more personal level, Foden has fulfilled every boy’s dream, rising through the ranks and even working as an Etihad Stadium ball boy before breaking into the first squad.

The second round of the Club World Cup begins today, and City will find out who they will meet in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Mexican side Club Leon face Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds for the right to face Premier League champions Manchester City, while hosts Al Ittihad face Egypt’s Al Ahly, with the victors going on to face South American champions Fluminense.

City are ready for anything, according to Foden, after racking up a sixth win in six in the Champions League group stage and returning to winning ways in the Premier League against Luton Town last weekend. They will now play Crystal Palace on Saturday before flying to Saudi Arabia.

“The Fifa Club World Cup is an entirely new experience for me.” We want to win,” added Foden, the Premier League’s youngest ever winner’s medalist.

“It’s all about making history; we want to include the competition.” I’m pretty excited about it.

“Reaching that first Champions League final against Chelsea changed the belief in this City team, and we knew we were ready to go again when we won it last year.” The more you play in big games, the better you’ll get at handling them and feeling less pressure.

“We are confident.” Not arrogantly, but we all have faith in one another. We’re also a good squad off the field. A cohesive group. Everyone understands that the remainder of the squad will work and battle for one another.”

Where Foden will play for City in Saudi Arabia – and for the rest of the season after Kevin De Bryuyne returns – is unknown, but he believes he can make a significant contribution if pushed to the right to accommodate the Belgian’s return.

“I think I’ve played my best football on the right hand side of the team,” he told reporters. “Most attackers want to land on their stronger foot. Playing well is more crucial than goals and assists, but both help boost confidence.

“When I’m scoring and assisting, my game elevates.” People can see it, I believe. I occasionally get permission to go deeper within and look for pockets, which I adore and have done since I was a child. At times, I play wide. You never know what [manager] Pep [Guardiola] is going to do; he changes things up a lot, and you have to be prepared to play in different positions.”

“When I’m scoring and assisting, my game elevates.” “I believe people can see that.” -Philip Foden

Foden had to be prepared to wait for a regular starting spot for City at initially, as Guadiola ignored the clamor from the terraces and the media, preferring to ease the youth star into the first-team picture.

Foden, now a 31-cap England international, is appreciative for his mentoring and recognizes the role the City manager played in his ascent.

“There can be no complacency about what has already been accomplished.” “That’s how I am, and that’s how Pep is,” he explained. “Every game, you can see him on the sidelines trying to make us better and improve every player, and that’s the mentality we have.”

“I like that the manager is never completely satisfied because it motivates me to improve.” When I’m not doing the proper thing, I want to know. That’s how he gets the best out of us, in my opinion.

“Being on the bench a lot in the early days was difficult because I love playing football and not getting many minutes is so difficult, but I had a few conversations with Pep and he told me to be patient and look at the quality that was in front of me.” He told me I’d get my chance and to be prepared when it came.

“He gave me a surprise start at home against the Spurs in April 2019, and I ended up scoring the game-winning goal.” It was situations like this that I realized he was attempting to prepare me for. I never considered a loan move. I’ve always considered myself a City player. I worked really hard for that, and I want to thank the boss for believing in me.

“We have meetings before games, and the manager will outline the positions he wants us to move into and where their defenders will be, and it usually happens.” He teaches us movements. It may appear easy on the field at times, but it is because of the coaching.”

Foden has now made over 250 appearances for City in all competitions, and he likes and welcomes being the shining light from an academy that is now generating a consistent stream of first teamers.

“It’s been a long road,” he said on the official Man City Podcast. “The story I have is wonderful. From the academy age groups to the first team. I’ve loved every minute of it, but it’s gone by so quickly.

“The older professionals always tell you to make the most of your career while you’re young because it goes by so quickly.” Every day, I strive to provide my best effort. I want to make every day count and continue to grow.

“One of my ambitions is to play for the first team with as many academy players as possible.” I have an affinity with them. It’s encouraging to see Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb doing so well. They’re both outstanding players for their ages. They will be crucial to our success.

“For an 18-year-old, Rico is insane.” He’s considerably more aware than I was when I was his age. Such football intelligence in an 18-year-old is unusual. Oscar enjoys getting inside the pockets and turning. He’s having a significant impact.

“It’s a dream to go from being a ball boy to being part of a team that wins a treble and their first Champions League.” “I only wish everyone could experience the joy I felt in Istanbul just once in their lives.”