It is better for him – City manager explains why Phil Foden has started few games this season 

It is better for him – City manager explains why Phil Foden has started few games this season

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (L) speaks with Manchester City’s English midfielder #47 Phil Foden (R) as he prepares to come on a…

 

Phil Foden has found it difficult to nail his spot down as a regular starter for Manchester City this season.

 

Pep Guardiola claimed Foden is “coming back” slowly but surely after he grabbed a wonderful goal and assist in Manchester City’s 4-0 demolition job of Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.

 

At the start of the month, Guardiola also revealed Foden is getting back in the groove of things after suffering niggles and an illness earlier this season.

 

However, after starting consecutive games against Slovan Bratislava and Fulham, the Manchester City midfielder was benched against Wolves before he came off the bench and assisted John Stones’ winner.

 

Naturally, questions have emerged about why Foden is yet to become a guaranteed starter in the City side — especially with Kevin De Bruyne nursing an injury.

 

Last season, the 24-year-old showed Pep Guardiola time and again that he can be relied upon when De Bruyne is unavailable — starting just three games this season.

 

Guardiola shares why Foden has been a bench player for Man City this season

However, the Englishman’s start to the 2024/2025 campaign has been one accompanied by struggles.

 

Jamie Carragher claimed Cole Palmer has usurped Foden as England’s starting number 10 in his eyes for two reasons; firstly, due to the latter’s muted displays for the Three Lions and secondly, as the Chelsea attacker is in the form of his life.

 

 

Ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming contest against Sparta Prague, Pep Guardiola has hinted that Foden has continued to struggle with his fitness.

 

Guardiola said via HaytersTV: “He will be back soon, he feels much better. The minutes he played in the last game for example.”

 

 

“Phil [Foden], you realise immediately when he is happy and fit and mentally in the right moment, you realise immediately he’s getting better and better.”

 

 

John Stones claimed Foden has “huge fans” at Manchester City ever since breaking into the senior setup in 2017.

 

For instance, Bernardo Silva named Foden as Manchester City’s most skillful player as well.

 

The six-time Premier League winner would be hoping to start against Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium.

 

Stuart Pearce demands Pep Guardiola to start Phil Foden

Former Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce demanded Pep Guardiola to start Foden after they drew 1-1 to Newcastle United.

 

“What I would say, he’s got to get a tune out of Phil Foden.”

 

“Foden doesn’t need, with no Rodri and no De Bruyne, to be sat on the bench. He needs to be contributing from the offset.”

 

Pearce added: “No because Pep knows. He sees them everyday in training. He’s on the bench for a reason.”

 

Whether he wants to rest him and ease him in because of what he’s done in the summer. Or because his form’s not looking that good. You never know what goes on behind the scenes.

 

“What you can turn around and say, [Ilkay] Gundogan didn’t play particularly well today and if Foden is being kept out by that performance by Gundogan next week, I’ll be very surprised.”

 

Foden will be itching to get back to full fitness and emerge as one of the first names on Manchester City’s team sheet sooner rather than later.

 

The decorated technician would be hoping to get back in the swing of things and pick up exactly where he left off from last season.

 

Perhaps Pep Guardiola’s decision to often rest Foden could help Manchester City down the line as he could be fresh and ready to play when the games come thick and fast.

 

The Stockport-born attacker’s match-winning cameo against Wolves was yet another indicator that any City side that does not feature him can instantly be considered weaker.

 

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