Phil Foden: winning the Champions League would be huge for us and the fans. Hopefully we can make them proud

Manchester City aiming to add European Cup to Premier League and League Cup trophies

Manchester City's Fernandinho lifts the Premier League trophy at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Reuters

Manchester City players lift the Premier League Trophy at the Etihad Stadium. PA

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola celebrates with the Premier League medal at the Etihad Stadium. PA

Manchester City players lifts the Premier League trophy at Etihad Stadium. Getty

Manchester City's striker Sergio Aguero, centre, celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal against Everton in what was his last league match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, May 23, 2021. AFP

Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's opening goal against Everton. EPA

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates with teammate Kevin De Bruyne after scoring against Everton at Etihad Stadium . Getty

Manchester City's striker Sergio Aguero scores their fifth at the Etihad Stadium. AFP

Manchester City fans wave flags during the match against Everton at the Etihad Stadium. PA

Sergio Aguero prepares to come on as a substitute during his last game as a Manchester City player. Reuters

Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring the second goal. PA

Manchester City fans show their support by holding up a Premier League champions banner at the Etihad Stadium. Getty

Manchester City's midfielder Phil Foden celebrates scoring their third goal. AFP

Everton's Jordan Pickford had a forgettable day on Sunday. Reuters

Manchester City fans had a day to remember at the Etihad Stadium. EPA

Phil Foden has revealed Manchester City's pride in turning around the club's tough start to the season as they set their sights on a historic treble.

Pep Guardiola's Premier League and League Cup winners are bidding for a first European Cup against Chelsea on Saturday, but trophies seemed a long way off when the delayed campaign got underway in September.

They won only five of their first 12 league games and were struggling to make an impact in mid-table.

“It was definitely tough at the start of the season,” said Foden.

“We finished last season so late and didn’t get much of a break before starting again, and that probably had an effect.

"But we always knew what this team was capable of. We started talking about how we were much better than our place in the table and how we needed to come together and show it. Luckily, we did that and we went on this incredible run. Now we have two trophies, and we want to add a third.”

City face Chelsea, who have beaten them twice in recent months, bidding to become only the second English team to complete a treble of league, domestic cup and Champions League after Manchester United in 1999.

The magnitude of the occasion is certainly not lost on 20-year-old Foden, who will be looking to add the biggest trophy of them all to his ever-expanding collection.

“It would be huge for us,” he said. “It’s what we’ve all been working towards for so long. But it’s not easy. All of the best teams in Europe are aiming to win this competition every season and only one can win the trophy so it’s impossible for them all to do it.

“It’s a dream to have the chance to play in such a huge game and we understand the importance. Not just to us but to our fans. Hopefully we can make them proud.”

City lifted the Premier League title for the third time in four years following last Sunday's 5-0 win over Everton but Foden, who played an integral role in that triumph, says with such a big game on the horizon, it was quickly time to refocus.

“The celebrations on Sunday were really special because the Premier League is our everyday focus for such a big part of the season,” he added.

“But when we came in on Monday, that was done. We have one game left now and it is a huge one. One that our club has never played in before and one even some of the best players in the world never get to be part of. All our focus is on winning that game and getting our hands on that trophy.”