After another lacklustre performance in Manchester City’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, Phil Foden, who was selected the PFA Player of the Year the previous year, should no longer be in Pep Guardiola’s starting eleven. Due to a decline in popularity this season, his manager’s tolerance is running out.
The 24-year-old’s captivating displays from the previous season, in which he scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 35 Premier League games, have not been repeated. Although it was without a doubt his best season to date, he will be fired after City’s loss to Forest because he was unable to make an impact on the game.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team took all three points after Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the game’s lone goal in the 83rd minute, shooting past Ederson at his near post. Guardiola, who once praised Foden as “the most talented player” he had ever seen, may now have to take the axe to the Cityzens after their devastating loss.
Guardiola Needs to Be Tough With Foden’s Out-Of-Form
At the City Ground, the England international remained silent the entire time.
One of the most renowned players in English football, Foden is having a hard time living up to his reputation this season, as his Forest performance has plummeted from his incredible 2023–24 campaign. In 24 league appearances, he has achieved a decent seven goals and two assists, but he hasn’t shown the game-changing skill and dominant inventiveness of the previous season.
Guardiola substituted Kevin De Bruyne after the six-time Premier League champion had played 69 minutes. With a dismal performance that has grown all too typical this season, he failed to manage a single shot, won his lone ground duel, and lost possession six times.
Many people anticipate seeing more from Foden because of his immense talent, and a stint on the bench will provide him with a new perspective that will help him regain his form. When Gareth Southgate started him ‘out of position’ on the left at Euro 2024, he recently attributed a dismal season to mental exhaustion, calling it ‘frustrating’.
A creative diamond of the calibre of the City academy graduate ought to be versatile enough to succeed on both wings. His five goals and four assists in 16 league games from the left wing in 2022–2023 demonstrated his ability to accomplish it. Given that he shared one of the ten duties with Bernardo Silva, there is no justification for his lack of performance against Forest.
A Journalist Draws Attention to the Foden Confidence Issue
After Forest’s loss, supporters say the City ace isn’t “good enough.”
A loss of confidence has been blamed for Foden’s lacklustre performances, particularly considering some of his last season decision-making when the ball was at his feet. The Athletic’s Sam Lee addressed the Cityzens forward’s difficulties during the Forest loss:
“Foden looks short of confidence imo… there was a chance a few mins ago to drive into space/the box but he just gave it wide to Doku for the same thing to happen that has been happening all day.”
Savinho off for Marmoush, Foden off for KDB. One of Savinho's quieter afternoons. Foden looks short of confidence imo… there was a chance a few mins ago to drive into space/the box but he just gave it wide to Doku for the same thing to happen that has been happening all day
— Sam Lee (@SamLee) March 8, 2025
Following his performance at the City Ground, fans expressed their annoyance on social media after noticing a decline this season. Another fan concluded that Foden “needs to understand he’s not good enough to play in the middle,” while another added, “Foden with yet another stinker.”
Up until lately, Foden’s quiet performances have generated little reaction. One supporter called him “another Foden ghost sesh that game, not a peep” while another called for the attacking midfielder, who was born in Stockport, to “leave my club.” He is among the most gifted playmakers in Europe, so there is little possibility of that occurring, but he is unquestionably jeopardising his spot in Guardiola’s starting lineup.
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