It was a strange season for Phil Foden.

Hyped as the man to bring football home in December, the 23-year-old had a quiet World Cup quarter-final against France and did not feature in Manchester City's best XI as they secured the Treble in the final months of the campaign.

The Citizens academy graduate still produced reminders of his quality at various stages, however, scoring a Manchester derby hat-trick in October and notching 15 goals overall.

Aged 23, he has time on his side and has recently shown glimpses of being able to fulfil a new role in Pep Guardiola's team.

Jack of all trades

When Foden broke into City's first team, he was billed as the long-term heir to David Silva but Guardiola has since tended to use him in the wide positions or as a centre forward.

The tactician reasons that the England international has the electric pace and skill to make a difference upfront but may lack the tactical awareness to control the middle of the pitch at his young age.

But while his skill set may never match Silva's, the Stockport Iniesta could more reasonably be considered a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian is given license to take risks in order to create rather than just keep the team ticking over, a role that suits the Englishman.

Same but different

Foden produced an example of how he would play the role behind Erling Haaland in Saturday's Champions League final victory over Inter on Saturday.

The trickster replaced De Bruyne in the first half of the game and played much more centrally than his team-mate, using his twinkle toes to create from more congested areas of the pitch.

One such example saw him nearly score brilliantly, only for Andre Onana to save his shot after he had danced through the Inter defence.

Whereas De Bruyne likes to create from wide areas, Foden's version of this role could prompt Guardiola's next evolution of this City team.

Long-term planning

Planning for life without De Bruyne certainly seems wise, considering his injury status.

The former Wolfsburg creator is likely to miss the start of next season with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's final, having been playing for weeks with smaller issues.

And with just two years left on his contract, by which time he will be 33, the emergence of Foden as a midfield option could be timely.

Guardiola also used Alvarez in that role last season, so has options within his squad.

Big summer

City's summer transfer business is likely to be an indicator of whether Foden has a long-term future in this position.

The arrival of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea is said to be imminent, although he may well be deemed a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva, at least one of whom is likely to leave.

But having also made a play to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, it is clear City had their eye on more than one midfield recruit this summer.

Bellingham is moving to Real Madrid, which may hand Foden an opportunity to make this position his own next term.