The 25/26 campaign is a big one for Phil Foden with the FIFA World Cup taking place next summer.
Like many others at Man City, the midfielder experienced a very underwhelming campaign last time around, which came off the back of the 25-year-old underperforming with England at EURO 2024.
It is unclear how much the tournament affected the City star heading into the 24/25 season, but what is clear is that Foden has been much happier this summer, and Pep Guardiola will be hoping to see that reflected on the pitch over the next 12 months.
Foden will be determined to bounce back, not only to help Man City get back to the top of the Premier League, but the England star will have an eye on the World Cup next summer, as the 25-year-old will want to have a crucial role in Thomas Tuchel’s team.
Phil Foden in action for Manchester City v Wydad AC at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Gareth Southgate did not fully trust Phil Foden
Foden has been one of the best English players in the Premier League for some time now, but every time the midfielder went away to play with the Three Lions, it felt like Gareth Southgate shoehorned the 25-year-old into his team.
Pundits and fans called for the Man City star to be used as a 10 or an eight, but Southgate rarely listened and continued to use the midfield star as a winger.
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Pundit Scott Minto has now revealed why the former England boss did this, stating that he heard that Southgate did not trust Foden to do the defensive work as a midfielder.
“I’ve been told from, shall we say, an extremely good source who was in the England camp at the time, that in terms of a pure eight, they didn’t trust him defensively,” Minto said on talkSPORT.
“And I think Manchester City, probably over the last couple of years, the data will show that he’s been playing more wide coming in, rather than being one of those guaranteed central midfielders.”
Kolo Toure has been impressed with Foden so far during pre-season, and it remains to be seen if the 25-year-old can carry that into the upcoming campaign when it begins next week.
It is unclear what Guardiola’s plan will be for the midfielder; however, unlike Southgate, both the 10 and eight roles are options as the legendary coach has faith in the Man City academy graduate.
Foden will certainly be a player most fans will have an eye on over the coming months, as that period will reveal if last season was just a blip or not.
Scott Minto worried about Phil Foden’s mentality
Foden has been putting in the work during the summer as the 25-year-old wants to leave no stone unturned on his quest to prove a point throughout the upcoming season.
The midfielder will have a lot of doubters following the previous campaign, and Minto is keen to see what the Man City star’s mentality will be, as the pundit believes that was part of the player’s issues last season.
“Phil Foden, for me, it’s a massive conundrum. I mean, when you think about the season he had two seasons ago, he was sensational. Wasn’t he? The goals, the assists, the confidence, the little flicks and tricks, but he was effective with it as well,” the pundit said on talkSPORT.
Season Games Goals Assists Minutes
2024/25 49 13 7 2994
2023/24 53 27 13 4276
How Phil Foden’s last two seasons compare
“The drop off to last season. For me, that’s more than just physical; that’s mental, and I don’t know. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. We don’t know.
“I mean, it’s interesting what Thomas Tuchel said about how Jude Bellingham can be very intimidating to his teammates. Was he thinking about Phil Foden? Is he one of them?
“Phil Foden absolutely has to try and get back. That’s the aim. To try and get back where you’re Player of the Year, not just for your club, but also for the Premier League.”