Guardiola Yearns for Phil Foden’s Triumphant Return
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has expressed his “desperation” to see Phil Foden regain his best physical form and fully enjoy football once more.
The 2024-25 season proved to be a challenge for the English international with Manchester City, where he only started in 20 matches, recording seven goals and two assists in the Premier League.
This figure contrasts notably with the previous season, in which Foden accumulated 33 starts, 19 goals and eight assists, being recognized as the Player of the Year while City won their fourth consecutive title.
Goalkeepers, in the spotlight in the derby between United and City.
Guardiola disagrees with Slot and places Haaland “above” Isak.
How United and City prepared the worst Manchester derby in history.
Physical problems have prevented Foden from gaining momentum, and his start to the new season has been equally frustrating, with the 25-year-old player participating only 15 minutes in the first three City matches.
Despite not being included in the last England call-up, Foden is back in consideration as City looks to return to winning ways after two consecutive defeats. The team will face their rival, Manchester United, on Sunday.Following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure, Foden has become one of City’s most important creative pillars.
Guardiola stated: “It’s the first thing I look for. I’m desperate for Phil to feel happy and [play with] joy, and that he smiles in every training session, on his face, and can contribute.”
Pep Guardiola
Guardiola added: “One of the reasons we suffered last season was because we missed him a lot in the final third, in creativity, in our work ethic. He’s one of the best at that.”
Foden seemed to be in good shape during the Club World Cup in the summer, apparently benefiting from a rest at the end of last season, but problems with an ankle injury have set him back.
Guardiola commented: “We have a glimpse of, ‘Oh, it’s coming back’ after the blow, but a week and then it stops. Then it comes back, another blow.”
The coach concluded: “All returning players have to play matches and be [involved] day by day, that’s what we have to try to do. He has to try anyway.”
