Manchester City, who made history by winning the Premier League four times in a row last season, are in India as part of the club’s Champions four-in-a-row Trophy Tour. The club also held a special screening of the tense 2-2 draw against Arsenal in New Delhi, where thousands of fans lined up to take photographs with the glittering Premier League trophy, FIFA Club World Cup, and Community Shield. They also enjoyed a special interaction with club icon and ambassador Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Additionally, the club has opened a football school in Kolkata in collaboration with Techno India Group, continuing to establish a strong presence in India, where the City Football Group also owns an Indian Super League club, Mumbai City FC. In an exclusive interview with RevSportz, Wright-Phillips praised the passionate and growing fanbase in India and discussed the club’s initiatives to connect with the global community, as well as his views on players like Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, Rodri, Phil Foden, and more.
Incidentally, Wright-Phillips was moved by the love the city has shown for the club. “It’s been very eye-opening, to be honest with you. This is my third time in India, and every time I come back, the fanbase just gets bigger and bigger at these events and for the games. It’s fantastic to see,” Wright-Phillips said.
“People think Man City only started doing things after they began winning, but that’s far from the truth. Even when I was a kid coming through the academy and breaking into the first team, we had to do Christmas pantomimes within the community, visit hospitals, and engage with fans. Now, they’ve taken that community engagement globally, which they’ve always aimed to do.”
He added: “The partnerships they’ve formed, like with Magic Bus India Foundation, are amazing. The work they do for kids in the community is incredible. I was lucky to attend a Magic Bus event, hang out with some kids, take pictures, answer their questions, and collect drawings they made for me. This is what makes Man City special—they give back to the fans that support them worldwide.”
Manchester City has been on a trophy-winning streak over the past decade. It began under Roberto Mancini, continued with Manuel Pellegrini, and has now reached another level under Pep Guardiola. Under Pep, the club has won six Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four-in-a-row, two FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, two Community Shields, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Super Cup.
But what makes Pep’s Man City so special? “It’s not just the winning-mentality; it’s the mental strength to do it consistently,” Wright-Phillips pointed out. “The players he brings in are always the right fit, both on and off the pitch. And the edge Pep gives them is fascinating. I love watching how he manages to keep everyone at that elite level and the belief he has in his squad,” he noted.
During the 1-1 draw against Arsenal, City fans were not only tense due to the intensity of the match but also because of Rodri, who walked off injured. Hours later, reports surfaced that the Spaniard might be out for the entire season due to a serious knee injury, possibly a ligament tear.
While the club monitors his fitness, Wright-Phillips believes Rodri deserves to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or for his achievements with both club and country last season, including an incredible 74-game unbeaten run and winning the Euros.
“I believe he deserves it, though I know there are other fantastic players on that list,” Wright-Phillips said. “But to be part of a team where you don’t lose a game for that long and win trophies at the end is something truly special. I don’t think anyone’s done it for as long as Rodri—nearly two seasons without a defeat is remarkable.”
City also signed Norwegian international Haaland from Borussia Dortmund a few seasons ago, and he has since shattered goal-scoring records, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s feat of reaching 100 goals for a club in just 105 appearances. Could he become the Premier League’s greatest forward?
“He’s on track,” Wright-Phillips said. “What stands out about Haaland is that he loves scoring and helping the team win. People think he’s doing it for himself, but he knows if he scores, they have a better chance of winning. His focus and determination are incredible. He mentioned once after scoring against Chelsea that he remembered a similar chance from the previous season, which the ‘keeper saved. This time, he decided to chip the ball. That kind of thought process for someone so young is scary.”
As City celebrated their fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, academy graduate Phil Foden won the PFA Premier League Player of the Season award, cementing his status as one of England’s most decorated footballers at just 24 years old. His potential is immense.
“Foden’s growth has been remarkable,” Wright-Phillips said. “When Kevin De Bruyne got injured, Phil filled his shoes in his own way. He didn’t try to replicate Kevin’s style—he played his way. Since then, he’s only gotten better, and now he’s one of the first names on the team sheet alongside Haaland. That’s a credit to his hard work on and off the pitch.”
When asked about whether Manchester City can make it five Premier League titles in a row, he said, “I’m a fan, so I hope so. But I don’t think they’re looking that far ahead. They take it one game at a time, and we know they’ll approach each match with the intent to win.”