Phil Foden has candidly discussed the reasons behind his recent dip in form for Manchester City, attributing it to a combination of injury issues and personal challenges. The England international revealed that he has been playing with ligament damage in his ankle since April, which has significantly impacted his performance on the field. Additionally, Foden opened up about mental struggles that have affected his consistency this season.
Phil Foden said: “It’s been a frustrating season for me. I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally. It’s one of them, sometimes there’s things in life that are bigger than football. This season I’ve struggled a little bit. I know if everything was okay I’d definitely be better on the field. Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it and move on. Unfortunately, I’ve had a difficult season. Now it’s just about improving and getting back to my best. I know my standards and what I can reach. I’m looking forward to getting back.”
Foden continued: “I somehow managed to play on with my ligaments done [against United]. That’s the kind of person I am. I try and play on with anything. I remember how much pain I felt when the adrenaline died down. I missed the next game or two, came back to training quite early. A lot of people don’t know what football players have to go through and play with. I’ve had a lot of ankle pain and playing with it in the last couple of months. Some people don’t see what we go through, it’s frustrating for me because I know it’s been hard to get it right. But it’s what I’m like. All I can say is I’m feeling a lot better now and can really push on with it. I just need a few weeks off it without playing football [for it to fully heal] and obviously I can’t get it at the moment. It’s a bit frustrating to play with niggles like this. It’s getting better and stronger each day. It’s improving and that’s the main thing.”
Foden’s revelation comes after a season where he helped Manchester City secure a fourth consecutive Premier League title and played a key role in England reaching the Euro 2024 final. However, his form has noticeably declined this season, with a barren run of 19 games without a goal for club and country since January 25. Despite a brief resurgence around the turn of the year, Foden has struggled to maintain his usual high standards.
The 24-year-old’s honesty about his mental and physical struggles is rare in the world of elite football, where players often keep such issues private. Foden’s determination to return to his best is evident, and he is considering sitting out the upcoming international matches to focus on his recovery. He has identified the Club World Cup as a potential platform to regain his form ahead of the new season.
Foden explained: “It’s a difficult situation for me with the internationals right around the corner. It’s something we have to speak with the club and national team to see maybe if it’s better to rest and get my ankle fully 100 per cent back how I want it. I just don’t know at the moment, it’s a conversation to be had and we’ll see what happens.”
Foden’s openness about his challenges has filled in the gaps for fans and critics who have speculated about his form. His focus now is on healing and preparing for the next season, with the hope that a fully fit Phil Foden will once again light up the pitch for Manchester City and England.
