Pep Guardiola has said Phil Foden will "explode" once the Manchester City midfielder rediscovers his love of football.
Foden has fallen down the pecking order at City this season and hasn't been included in the starting XI for a league game for more than two months.
It's only two years since Foden was named the Premier League's best player. And Guardiola is sure the 25-year-old, who is close to agreeing a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, can get back to that level.
"Just recover that spirit, the pleasure to be a football player," Guardiola said.
"Not because I have a contract. Not because I have duties to do. Not because I have to win that game. Forget about all of that.
"It's just a joy to play football like you were a little boy and we're in the streets or in the school or in the academy in Man City. It's just getting back to that feeling. And when that happens, he'll explode again and he'll be back."
City have the chance to move within two points of Arsenal at the top of the table when they face Brentford on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta's side, who play West Ham on Sunday, are favourites to win the title.
But Guardiola insists that even if City finish second, the experience of being challengers will benefit the squad next season.
"It's the first time that Marc [Guehi], Khusa [Abdukodir Khusanov], Gigi [Donnarumma] -- not the first time but the first time here -- Antoine [Semenyo]," the City boss said.
"It's the first time we're in a title race. You know, the feeling. The feeling that 'oh, I cannot lose that game'. And sometimes you need, maybe, time to live that. But it's what I said. So, still, we are here.
"The season has been more than good so far. So, let's win the next game. And after, we'll see what happens and we'll see in the future."
Middlesbrough have been approached for comment by the Press Association.
Hull and Millwall met on Friday night in the other Championship semifinal, with the first leg being drawn 0-0.
Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic said he was completely unaware of the "spygate" story surrounding Southampton.
"Why do you need to spy? We played already," Jakirovic said.
"I know everything about everything. What Middlesbrough will surprise [with?] He will put 14 players? What? Unbelievable. Really?"
Millwall manager Alex Neil said: "I would certainly comment on it if somebody from Hull was hiding in a tree videoing our training. Well, I might not have caught him yet!
"It doesn't affect us, so I'm not going to get involved in that conversation."
The alleged incident has revived memories of when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for a breach of its 'good faith' regulations in 2019.
Then Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa sent a spy to the Derby training ground before a match between the two clubs.
Bielsa, who faced fierce criticism for his actions and responded by delivering a lengthy press briefing outlining his coaching methods, paid the fine out of his own pocket.