Source: REUTERS/Toby Melville
[Saba Sports News] In the 2023-24 season, Phil Foden contributed 19 goals and 8 assists, helping Manchester City successfully defend their Premier League title. However, after having a successful season, Foden performed poorly in the European Championship and this season. Recently, British media revealed the reasons behind Foden’s poor performance this season. At the beginning of the season, Foden did not participate in matches due to an unknown illness. Foden disclosed that he suffered from “mental fatigue” at the start of the season, with his brain feeling blank during training. It is understood that Foden also had some physical issues. Both Manchester City and Foden’s representatives refused to confirm the specific nature of the problems, making it impossible to explain his poor form. The criticism he read on social media began to spiral out of control. It is reported that players from Manchester City privately expressed concern about Foden. From a visual perspective, he appears thinner. Thomas Tuchel stated after England’s victory over Albania that Foden needs encouragement, noting that the player’s confidence has disappeared. Given Tuchel’s limited time, he cannot tolerate underperforming players, clearly casting doubt on Foden’s position in the starting lineup.