Manchester City’s Phil Foden ‘frustrated’ by season of struggles

MANCHESTER – Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has blamed a combination of off-field distractions and fitness problems for a hugely disappointing season.

The England international was crowned the English Premier League’s Player of the Year last season as he led City’s charge to an unprecedented fourth straight title. However, Foden has been a peripheral figure amid his side’s struggles this campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s men will finish this term without a major trophy for the first time since 2016-17 and still need a point in their final Premier League match to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. Foden was a substitute during City’s FA Cup final defeat by Crystal Palace on May 17.

“Obviously, it’s been a frustrating season for me. I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally,” said Foden.

“Sometimes there’s things in life that’s bigger than football and this season I’ve struggled a little bit. But, hopefully, next year I can get my head mentally right and get back where I left the season before, because I know what I am capable of doing.”

Earlier in 2025, the 24-year-old conceded that “my body and my mental state was low”.

Guardiola came out in defence of his player after Foden was targeted in a recent match at rivals Manchester United with taunts about his mother.

“I know if everything was OK, I would definitely be a bit better on the field. But like I said, sometimes things happen and you’ve just got to deal with it and try to move on,” Foden added.

“I’ve had a difficult season, but I’m just improving, getting back to my best. I know my standards and what I can be, so I’m just looking forward to getting back.”

After City’s final Premier League game of the season, they are set to fly off to the United States to participate in an expanded version of the Club World Cup.

However, Foden is unsure whether he will play a part in that competition or England’s June internationals due to his recovery from an ankle injury, saying: “I have to speak with the club and the international team to see if maybe it’s better to rest to get my ankle fully 100 per cent how I want it.”

England, meanwhile, will not automatically be in the 2028 European Championship Finals – despite being co-hosts alongside Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and must go through qualifying, though two spots are reserved if they fail.

The decision was taken by European governing body Uefa’s executive committee on May 21 in Bilbao, Spain, ahead of the Europa League final.

Hosts or co-hosts have automatically qualified for the Euro in recent editions, barring the 2020 tournament, which had no automatic berth as it was held in 11 host cities across Europe. AFP, REUTERS