47 | Phil Foden - 2024/25

[Goater=Legend]

Not given up on him yet

 

[Norman kneejerk]

I think the sports psychiatrists say try to visualise how you play when everything is going well.
Something definitely holding him back could be a long term ailment but most likely mental stateless as the mind controls the body. and seems to have lost his fizz.

 

[WallyA]

His form has dipped over the last year, not a coincidence that most of our players have had a dip in form.

But also its likely, as there were numerous rumours, that he has had some personal issues as well.

But as that massive video shows, he was the best player in the premier league for a reason.

He is allowed this dip in form, but next season he will have to recover that form.

 

[alexmcity]

he was the best player in the premier league for a reason.

Foden was fantastic last season, but he wasn't even the best City player. Nowhere near as influential as the actual best player in the world, the one who is world class in both phases of the game.

A potential problem for Foden is he isn't sufficiently athletic. If he doesn't improve strength and speed wise, he'll have problems as the game is getting more and more physical.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Part of me thinks that Rodri's presence creates the space for Foden and allows him to drive into the space with the opposing Full Back exposed and isolated. He drops his shoulder and suddenly he's scored against Dortmund/United/West Ham etc

However he's never been the type of player to grab a game by the scruff of the neck.
He's always been more peripheral and is ultimately judged by his goal per game ratio which was outstanding last season, but nowhere near as effective in recent games

Different story for England because his whole style of play just doesn't complement Bellingham or Kane
If they haven't been involved for a few minutes they will literally lose all discipline and chase the ball until they become involved
Meanwhile Foden just seems to drift through games and suddenly he hasn't touched the ball for 20 minutes

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

His form has dipped over the last year, not a coincidence that most of our players have had a dip in form.

But also its likely, as there were numerous rumours, that he has had some personal issues as well.

But as that massive video shows, he was the best player in the premier league for a reason.

He is allowed this dip in form, but next season he will have to recover that form.

Absolutely mental how he's gone from the player in that video to now in such a short space of time. There's something wrong either physically or mentally. It's more than form.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

ultimately judged by his goal per game ratio which was outstanding last season, but nowhere near as effective in recent games

I'll settle for assists but he isn't one who passes to teammates so they can score. Even Haaland has more assists over each of the last 3 seasons than Phil.

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

I'll settle for assists but he isn't one who passes to teammates so they can score. Even Haaland has more assists over each of the last 3 seasons than Phil.

Not disagreeing because ultimately in the modern game you're judged by goals and assists

That's why I always feel a tad of sympathy for Grealish who was outstanding in the 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in 22/23, but despite being heavily involved in the build up for both the 2nd and 3rd goals, the assists went to Gundogan and De Bruyne

 

[wolviedinho]

I hope he can find form again.

His drop off haddock been more alarming than others.

Plenty of credit but he looks short of confidence and lost on the pitch.

 

[mexico1970]

Can we agree that nobody actually hates him and everyone wishes a return to form for him again?

 

[Manchester_lalala]

I don't think Pep is asking him to not show his ability, you only have to witness what Phil was doing last season to see that's not true, he has also dropped Phil from the side, so he's obviously not happy with what he's doing on the pitch.

That seems like a bit of an excuse for Phil. Yeah, Pep probably doesn’t like players dribbling with the ball and losing it when the time isn’t right. Look at Doku and Savinho this season, they’re trying to take players on all the time. Phil just hasn’t got it in him to go past players which is sad to see as he used to do it with ease. Hopefully it comes back because he’s half the player at the minute.

 

[heslops barnet]

Do you actually think not showing up to this England call up would've been a good idea? We're 15 months from the World Cup and this international break is all qualifiers. Phil wouldn't be doing himself any favors by starting off on the wrong foot with Tuchel in rejecting the call up at a time like this. If it was just friendlies or Nations League, then no problem staying home at all.

If he’s having ‘problems’ he needs to tell the England management, if he carries on playing as poor as he is he won’t get selected for the next squad

 

[Withnail]

Saw a post somewhere criticising him for only providing 3 assists for Haaland. Well there’s about 4 chances he creates for him here in the first 2 mins alone

Like the team he has had an off season, not sure if there is an off the field issue or health problem. We desperately need our Phil back, you know what they say form is temporary, class is permanent.

 

[eastmanc]

That seems like a bit of an excuse for Phil. Yeah, Pep probably doesn’t like players dribbling with the ball and losing it when the time isn’t right. Look at Doku and Savinho this season, they’re trying to take players on all the time. Phil just hasn’t got it in him to go past players which is sad to see as he used to do it with ease. Hopefully it comes back because he’s half the player at the minute.

I don't get where you think that is an excuse for him. I'm giving him no excuse what so ever, he needs to get back to the form he has shown in the past, no excuses.

 

[super_city_si]

Nobody is turning on him. They're discussing his current performances, which have been poor, on his player performances thread. Not even close to the same thing.

Some are far too sensitive over warranted criticism of our players.

Saying he’s having a poor season is fair, saying he’s well below par is fair, saying sell him is turning on him.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Saying he’s having a poor season is fair, saying he’s well below par is fair, saying sell him is turning on him.

I'd be reluctant to sell him, but if a very significant offer came in, I think the club would consider it. Obviously, the same could be said of any player tbh!

I still think that Phil needs a break from Pep, and think 12 months working with another coach in different surroundings would do his game a world of good.

He's been at the club too long and his game has gone stale.

 

[Tevez City]

 

[dennishasdoneit]

Why does Savinho start ahead of him then and more specifically Doku? If he doesn’t want players to dribble. Don’t remember him stopping Messi or Robben either. So it’s just Foden who he’s stopped and if he wanted him just play square passes like he’s been doing for ages why does he keep dropping him.

The excuses for Foden’s lack of form and drive seem endless.

The 2 Examples I mentioned of Fodens mazy dribbling came from central midfield iirc
Neither player you've quoted play central midfield ,ever, which is where Foden ultimately wants to play .

"Excuses"for his lack of form may well seem endless ..,that's because no one knows the reason...speculation will continue ,...Foden must be doing ok in training or he wouldn't be picked at all I guess..

What's your explanation for his drop off in form ?

 

[Keeper!]

If he is suffering from some sort of illness would he not have pulled out of these International games?

Something is very wrong with him, far too many excuses on his behalf, it was not Southgate's fault, it's not Pep's fault and it's not Tommy T's fault, Philip Foden needs to sort himself out his career is going backwards and quickly.

 

[dennishasdoneit]

I don't get where you think that is an excuse for him. I'm giving him no excuse what so ever, he needs to get back to the form he has shown in the past, no excuses.

If a player is knackered / burnout ..and he states this , it's time folk listened.

Rodri has been talking of burnout for some time now .is that an " excuse " ?

We get seen Bernardo play continuously at a. High level for club and country for season after season then his form went off a cliff.knackered...

I remember the Belgium national coach warning Kdb was playing too much football a few years ago and that he was prone to injuries , the coach has been proved right .

Foden has openly said he was knackered after the England campaign......he won't get any rest this summer..

Burnout is a problem, exacerbated maybe if a player isn't looking after himself off the pitch .....

Our manager looks stale and worn out.he can just take a break from the game as he has in the past .
The players who he has run into the ground can't do that.