Foden just proved City doesn't need Haaland to win matches

Phil Foden showed up in Athens and basically said 'I've got this' — and honestly, he was right. Manchester City's 3-0 demolition of AEK Athens in the Champions League wasn't just about winning; it was a masterclass in what happens when one of the world's best attackers decides to take over a game.

The English winger was everywhere. Creating chances, finding space where none seemed to exist, making defenders look confused. So yeah, he got man-of-the-match. Deserved it too.

Now here's the thing: Erling Haaland's absence leaves a gap up front. City's lethal finisher is out, which means other players have to step up. And Foden? He's shown he can be that guy. Not necessarily in Haaland's exact role — he's not a pure number nine — but as someone who can swing a game, create problems, and put the ball in the net when it matters.

This isn't new. Foden's been performing at an elite level for years now. But when your teammate is a goal-a-game machine, you don't always get the spotlight. One injury or suspension to Haaland, and suddenly people remember what Foden can actually do. He's not a backup plan; he's a world-class talent in his own right.

City will obviously want Haaland back as soon as he's fit. He changes everything about how they operate. But if there's one positive from his time on the sidelines, it's this: they've got other weapons. Foden proved that in Greece. One performance doesn't solve everything, but it's a reminder that Pep's got options, and not all of them require a £60 million striker to make them work.