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Phil Foden was back in a central role and back at the heart of the Manchester City during a derby day win on Sunday.
It's no secret in the Manchester City dressing room that Phil Foden can find it difficult when the critics come calling.
He might be one of the most precociously gifted footballers this country has produced, but that doesn't make him immune to the very human nature of finding negatives hard to take.
It can also be easy for a footballer to find a bit of criticism if they're looking for it. It felt telling that when he spoke to Sky Sports after the Manchester derby and explained he had seen a lot of negatives, the interview ended with Foden being told there wouldn't be any criticism after that performance, only to respond, "You never know."
Not long after that TV interview, Jeremy Doku spoke about Foden to reporters at the Etihad and touched on the very same subject without being prompted.
“Phil is a lovely guy. I know sometimes he struggles when people criticise him," the Belgian winger said. “Football is not easy and today he showed again that talent-wise you cannot say a word about him. I'm very happy for him, I know his qualities and I know that he will show that to everyone. I have no doubt about him.”
Foden was the toast of English football less than 18 months ago when he was voted the best player in the country by his peers after a stunning 2023/24 season, but he found last season a lot tougher.
Injuries and off-pitch issues derailed him and the criticism returned, but City sources have spoken of a different Foden around the CFA this summer. He is smiling again and looks happier and in a better place.
Pep Guardiola said as much on Friday, and his belief in the 25-year-old being ready to display his best form once again was clear when he was thrown straight into the team to face Manchester United despite having managed just 15 minutes of football in the first three games of the season.
Not only was Foden back in, but he was also playing centrally, with Bernardo Silva moved out wide. Foden was handed the keys to the attack and got City playing with a performance that mixed class with character. There were promising signs.
Monday's papers contained no criticism of the City academy graduate, and he would have to dig deep into social media to find a negative comment, although for a professional footballer in the modern era, there will always be someone waiting to have a go.
Foden needs to be able to shut out the noise and the best way to do that is by performing. If he doesn't want to see criticism, then a few more performances like Sunday will keep the positive reviews rolling in.
Guardiola's face lit up after the 3-0 win against United when he was asked about Foden and his description of him as a player who plays the excellent pass but then attacks the penalty box "like an animal" to try to score was a reminder of what he brings at his best.
City need his goals and creativity in the final third, and if there is one player in this squad who could transform this side's fortunes, it is Foden. If he does that, then criticism will be increasingly hard to find.
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