At the end of almost five months of recovery from hamstring surgery, Kevin De Bruyne‘s role back in the spotlight seemed largely ceremonial.

Manchester City wanted him in full kit for a picture alongside the five trophies before kick-off. Pep Guardiola wanted him to feel the crowd’s love as he warmed up. But there was no danger of him actually entering proceedings.

That might come in the FA Cup against Huddersfield Town next weekend, where presumably the man filling De Bruyne’s void will be afforded a well-deserved rest. Phil Foden, again, offered a masterclass in behind Julian Alvarez, the position that has always been his eventual calling.

Guardiola has felt over the years that Foden lacks the sort of due care and attention that a No 8 requires in a City team, maintaining that he will learn over time.

But when the 23-year-old endured perhaps the lowest individual moment of his career last month in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, it is fair to say a few will have wondered if central midfield under Guardiola was ever going to happen for him.

Kevin De Bruyne’s return to Manchester City is imminent – and with that comes an alluring idea

Phil Foden could be placed alongside De Bruyne and behind Erling Haaland after impressing

Foden didn’t read the game’s circumstances that day, according to his manager. He tried to liven up an attack late on, with City leading by just one goal, giving the ball away cheaply and – in his frustration – then conceded a penalty for a wild kick seconds later. Guardiola was incensed.

Foden has since strung together four of his best performances for the club: mostly in the middle. He linked play here, dictating tempo with Rodri.

Against Urawa Red Diamonds in the Club World Cup semi-final, Foden was shunted back out to the right – almost certainly Guardiola’s response to Palace – before it became clear that Bernardo Silva as a false nine was not having the desired effect. So the pair switched after 20 minutes and Foden excelled.

He was man of the match in the final a few days later, then he scored a stunner at Everton to drag them back into that game. And now this, measured flamboyance that is Guardiola to a tee.

‘I’m really pleased that Phil since Palace has learned the lesson,’ Guardiola said.

‘Lessons to learn, hopefully it’s the last time to happen. It’s football, it’s human beings, sometimes it happens. All four games he has been top, top class, playing good, scoring, assisting. All the important things we need of him.’

His emergence in those dangerous pockets on a more consistent basis has felt like it’s been coming for a while. Shouldering the bulk of creative responsibility is a big thing and hopefully that is not completely curtailed once De Bruyne is back in situ.

Pep Guardiola (left) is pleased that Foden (right) has learned his lesson after giving away a late penalty against Crystal Palace. He has shone in the games that have followed that draw

Foden was brilliant in the Club World Cup final against Fluminense as he helped City lift the trophy for the first time

If Foden really has developed an understanding of when to accelerate and deaccelerate a game, then there is no good reason why both he and De Bruyne cannot dovetail behind Erling Haaland.

Guardiola has never gone so direct with his attacking midfielders before – Ilkay Gundogan, his favourite, never possessed the same explosiveness – but he has always been a coach open to change.

City would like Foden to perfect the tempo traits of David Silva without losing that edge in front of goal, just as Gundogan managed. Do that and you’re becoming one of the world’s finest.

A De Bruyne-Foden axis would be a mouthwatering prospect. Not in every game but with Haaland’s instinct, turning the centre of the final third into a pinball machine can only benefit the top scorer.

He scored a stunner against Everton to help Manchester City clamber back into the game

The 23-year-old would thrive if he was shunted back out to the right wing, but the prospect of him playing next to De Bruyne (left), in behind Haaland (right), is exciting for supporters