Former Manchester City midfielder Paul Lake believes Phil Foden still has the quality to win the Ballon d'Or, insisting the prestigious individual honour "is still in his locker," according to BBC News.
Lake's comments come after Foden penned a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, tying his long-term future to the club that developed him from academy prospect to England international. The former City man pointed to new head coach Enzo Maresca's familiarity with the 24-year-old, noting that having previously worked with him, Maresca already knows exactly what he can extract from Foden at his peak.
Lake's remarks suggest confidence that City's fresh managerial setup could help unlock another level from the homegrown talent, who has already established himself as one of the Premier League's most gifted attacking midfielders. With his contract situation now settled, attention turns to whether Foden can rediscover the form that once made him one of Europe's most talked-about young players — and, in Lake's eyes, a genuine Ballon d'Or contender.