47 | Phil Foden - 2024/25

[akrh215]

The fact that he doesn’t have players like Rodri or KDB alongside him this season really shows that he just can’t “work magic” on his own like KDB could. He lacks that level of creativity and boldness, and he doesn’t have the same vision to spot opportunities from a mile away. Even if he did, he couldn’t deliver those passes like KDB.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Can't afford another 2 weeks of England. He comes back like he's been chained to a radiator in a cold unused corridor of St George's Park and fed potato peelings for a fortnight.

 

[mexico1970]

To get more out of Phil he needs players like Rodri and KDB around him, and to do that we need to find them and that isn't going to be easy.

 

[David White]

He was literally in the middle the whole game. Bernardo was out wide. He just played bad .

He was told to go out wide when Kev came on. Bernardo went over to Pep and then he relayed the instructions.

I don’t think he had a bad game, but he’s miles off where he was last season.

 

[Keeper!]

To get more out of Phil he needs players like Rodri and KDB around him, and to do that we need to find them and that isn't going to be easy.

Is that a criticism? Is it not time that he was the man in this team, old enough , good enough and experienced enough to be that.

He was ok yesterday, but Kovacic and Haaland were far more the leaders yesterday.

 

[.db.]

The fact that he doesn’t have players like Rodri or KDB alongside him this season really shows that he just can’t “work magic” on his own like KDB could. He lacks that level of creativity and boldness, and he doesn’t have the same vision to spot opportunities from a mile away. Even if he did, he couldn’t deliver those passes like KDB.

Foden is not a creative player when he plays centrally. He’s got almost no link-up play with Haaland. He never threads balls through like Kovačić did yesterday, he’s not developed that in his game at all really.

Nor does he have the creative bits of brilliance in tight situations in the middle of the pitch that we’ve seen from De Bruyne and DSilva over the years.

While he does score more goals when he plays centrally (and his goals can be fantastic!), he is more creative when he plays wide. He’s got a good cross and a good pull back pass on him. Better than seen from Grealish, BSilva, Doku or Savinho.

That’s why, when De Bruyne plays, Pep puts Phil wide.

Everyone moans about Foden being played wide, but, not only does he create and assist more from wide, his pressing is better and he helps the full backs out more than any of our other forward wide players do (Grealish is good in our half defending but he’s not as good at pressing as Foden).

Foden is an all-round better team player when he plays wide.

One annoying thing though is that he’s always on the move to find space and he’s seldom passed to at the right moments. Pep and whoever the captain is should be bollocking the team for this. Get the ball to Phil at the right time and he’ll damage the opposition.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Injured as well or precautionary?

 

[ninjamonkey]

Injured as well or precautionary?

I'm guessing unfit rather than injured. Didn't have a pre-season at all. Got injured, supposedly got food poisoning and has yet to look like he's fully fit all season.

now gets a chance to get himself in better shape for us instead of being played out of position and taken off after an hour of being ineffective.

 

[KDB4ever]

 

[eastmanc]

Still playing like an inexperienced kid

No consistency, blows hot and cold, and should be one of the more experienced players taking the game by the scruff of the neck during this tough spell

He was very consistent last season. At the moment he's in poor form, it happens to all players.

 

[Keeper!]

He was very consistent last season. At the moment he's in poor form, it happens to all players.

He was magnificent last season but he's set his standards and needs to get back to those levels as quickly as possible.

 

[Crooked_rain]

He was very consistent last season. At the moment he's in poor form, it happens to all players.

Indeed

But I guess people are wondering why there's such a drop off.

He barely featured for the first month or so of the season, although some players that went deep into the Euros didn't. But then there was a supposed illness that quite a few people said isn't true and it's personal matters.

He also seemed to get slated more than any other England player at the Euros.

You do wonder if his confidence has taken a hit, coupled with off field issues people are speculating about.

I've no idea, but he's definitely not playing with the same confidence. Slightly hesitant at times.

 

[eastmanc]

Indeed

But I guess people are wondering why there's such a drop off.

He barely featured for the first month or so of the season, although some players that went deep into the Euros didn't. But then there was a supposed illness that quite a few people said isn't true and it's personal matters.

He also seemed to get slated more than any other England player at the Euros.

You do wonder if his confidence has taken a hit, coupled with off field issues people are speculating about.

I've no idea, but he's definitely not playing with the same confidence. Slightly hesitant at times.

It could of but he'll be back. He is too good of a footballer not to come back.

 

[alexmcity]

He was very consistent last season.

Foden was sensational after December. In the first 3 months or so he didn't shine.

This season, we need him to do even better if we are to compete for the title.

 

[eastmanc]

He was magnificent last season but he's set his standards and needs to get back to those levels as quickly as possible.

True.

 

[Keeper!]

True.

He gets a very easy ride because he is a local lad,

 

[Platt Lane 59]

He gets a very easy ride because he is a local lad,

Completely agree that Phil Foden has been average this season (as he was in the Euros).
But, who was the Premier League Footballer of the Year, last season ?
Who, has been moved positions, regularly, by Pep, to benefit the team ?
Who did Pep say was the best young talent he has worked with ?

Yes, that local lad who is revered by City fans only because he comes from Stockport and has been at the club since he was a nipper...

 

[Keeper!]

Completely agree that Phil Foden has been average this season (as he was in the Euros).
But, who was the Premier League Footballer of the Year, last season ?
Who, has been moved positions, regularly, by Pep, to benefit the team ?
Who did Pep say was the best young talent he has worked with ?

Yes, that local lad who is revered by City fans only because he comes from Stockport and has been at the club since he was a nipper...

He is a magnificent player and a wonderful advert for what can be achieved but he has set standards, he has to maintain them if he wants to become one of the greats.

Great players can thrive in any position under any manager or system, that's why they are what they are.

 

[youngbob]

Didn't realise he was so close to his 100th goal.

That should come this season.

 

[Platt Lane 59]

He is a magnificent player and a wonderful advert for what can be achieved but he has set standards, he has to maintain them if he wants to become one of the greats.

Great players can thrive in any position under any manager or system, that's why they are what they are.

How many "great" players are really able to thrive in any position or under any manager or system ?
The majority of great players have the team built around them, or seldom play out of their favoured position.
Don't think anyone knows the reason why Phil's form has dropped off since the final game of last season, where his early superb goal set the tempo of the game ?
But, all players have a dip in form.
How many "great" players do you feel are currently playing in the Premier League ?