Phil Foden asked to be left out of the England squad after damaging his ankle recently, with the Manchester City forward opening up on off-pitch struggles that have also impacted his form.
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Pep Guardiola says Manchester City 'want to help' Phil Foden get back to his best on and off the pitch.
Pep Guardiola has told Phil Foden to concentrate on his own personal wellbeing rather than his Manchester City performances, following the forward's brave admission over off-pitch struggles this season.
Foden opened up to reporters last weekend, confirming he has been struggling 'off the pitch mentally' this season and saying 'some things are bigger than football.'
He added that: "I know if everything was okay I'd definitely be better on the field."
And Foden also revealed ankle ligament damage that has stopped him from playing regularly in recent weeks, saying he needed a few weeks without playing football in order to fully recover.
After talking with England, Foden was left out of next month's international fixtures giving him a three week rest before the Club World Cup begins.
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Guardiola said Foden will be in the Club World Cup squad 'in principle', while confirming he has been 'struggling a long time with his ankle.' But Guardiola insisted the priority for Foden is not to focus on performances and instead ensure he is healthy in himself first.
The manager said: "It's true, Phil said that and of course he has not been.. not for him, all of us, his family for us he's a baby, a baby boy from the academy and becoming one star with us. We want to help him, that's the most important thing.
"He needs rest and it's going to happen now after Sunday. Step by step he is going to come back, that is what we want. I just want want want to help him. I don't care about his performance on the pitch, I want him to feel good and after the rest will come in an easy way."
Guardiola added that City were not involved in conversations with England over Foden's non-selection, but firmly placed a focus on the 24-year-old's wellbeing. Foden had suggested the Club World Cup could be a tournament to play his way back into form but also placed doubt on his participation given the need to rest his ankle.
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