Foden played well throughout the game, and played the full 90 minutes on his first league start for City.
After impressing for England’s youth teams, it was expected that Foden would be brought into the team at a much earlier stage.
Despite having made several Champions League appearances for the Citizens, including 90 minutes against Hoffenheim in their group stage win earlier this season, he had not started in the league until last night.
The lack of first-team football had led some fans to fear that he would look to leave the club, following in the footsteps of as Jadon Sancho and Brahim Diaz – now at Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid respectively.
But the Stockport-born prospect has kept true to the team he has been at since coming through the academy.
And Guardiola promised that his loyalty will be rewarded, and that the next decade will belong to him at the Etihad.
He also praised the 18-year-old’s performance in the win over Cardiff, in which he was unable to score but had two good attempts blocked, and promised he will be a key player from next season onwards.
“Phil played excellent,” Guardiola beamed.
“He did everything, arriving in the right positions with the right tempo.
“He always has chances, has a sense of goal.
“I’m happy with the way he plays. He could have scored two goals, he’s exceptional.
“It’s not easy for him with (David) Silva, Bernardo (Silva), (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Kevin) De Bruyne.
“But he wants to be here, he’s delighted to be here.
“I assure you next year he will play more minutes. That’s the process.
“For the next decade he will be important.
“He will be 19 and the next 10 years he will be a big part of this club.”