Once hailed by Pep Guardiola as the most talented player he had ever coached, Phil Foden finds himself at a critical juncture in his Manchester City career. The attacking midfielder, who joined the club’s academy at just eight years old, has seen his influence wane dramatically, leading to reduced playing time and a concerning dip in form.

In a stark illustration of his current predicament, Foden has made more starts at Wembley than at the Etihad Stadium over the past two months. His recent outing in the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton saw him substituted after a disappointing individual performance, a moment that underscored his struggles.

A sudden dip in form and playing time

Just two years ago, Foden was at the peak of his powers, bagging 19 goals and providing eight assists as City secured their fourth consecutive Premier League title. That stellar season earned him all domestic Player of the Season awards. Even four months ago, he was in a rich vein of form, scoring five goals in three games.

However, the current campaign tells a different story. The 25-year-old has failed to score in his last 24 appearances for Manchester City and has contributed just one assist in that same period. His start against Southampton was his first for the club in seven weeks, highlighting how far he has fallen in the pecking order.

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• Foden’s diminishing role has been evident in several high-profile matches:
• He was an unused substitute against Liverpool in the league in February.
• He played only five minutes off the bench in the recent title showdown with Arsenal.
• He was brought on only in added time during the Carabao Cup final, also against Arsenal.
• In the Manchester derby in January, he was taken off at half-time for Rayan Cherki, a £34 million summer signing from Lyon.

Despite his struggles, Foden is on track to finish the current season with 10 goals in all competitions, matching his 2024-25 campaign, and has contributed two more assists this term. Yet, the eye test and his reduced minutes suggest a player battling for confidence and consistency.

Guardiola’s challenge and unwavering faith

Guardiola has not shied away from addressing Foden’s situation, often emphasizing the need for competition within the squad. “Cherki has been amazing. Phil plays in more or less that position and has to challenge with Rayan,” Guardiola stated, according to GOAL.com. “All the titles we have won, Phil was there and he’s been important in that. But it happens, [you have to think] ‘Okay, I have to challenge my team-mates who came from abroad and want to prove themselves in the Premier League and make a name for themselves’.”

While the City boss acknowledges the dip, he maintains faith in Foden’s talent. “I have zero, zero, zero doubts about Phil. He has to recover himself and just focus on playing football and going fishing. When he is that, Phil will be back,” Guardiola said in February.

World Cup hopes and a Grealish warning

Foden’s current form also casts a shadow over his international future, with a World Cup approaching. Thomas Tuchel, among others, has admitted Foden might not make the squad, and Guardiola has previously urged his player to seize opportunities for England, stating, “These opportunities cannot be missed. If you have an opportunity, play as good as possible to be selected because it’s only one every four years. You have to.”

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The situation draws parallels with Jack Grealish, who, seven months after Guardiola’s public comments about his expected return to form after the 2024 FA Cup final defeat, was loaned to Everton and subsequently suffered a season-ending foot injury. While Foden’s circumstances differ, the rapid shift in fortunes for established players under Guardiola serves as a potent reminder of the demanding environment at City.

With his contract running until 2027, Phil Foden has time to rediscover his spark. However, the coming months will be crucial for the homegrown talent to prove he can rise to Guardiola’s challenge and reclaim his status as a pivotal figure for both club and country.

Sources: www.goal.com

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