[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, 25-year-old Manchester City star Phil Foden is highly likely to miss the 2026 World Cup, as his current form is a far cry from his prime when he commanded a nine-figure transfer value. Once upon a time, Wembley Stadium was Foden’s exclusive stage. Back in his early days, he delivered a standout performance in the 2020 League Cup final, where Manchester City defeated Aston Villa, and was named the Man of the Match after the game. Six years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the 25-year-old now looks dejected and dispirited. In City’s clash against Championship side Southampton, with the game deadlocked and his team struggling to break through, Foden was substituted off after just 58 minutes on the pitch. Southampton right-back James Bree completely got the better of him in their one-on-one duels. Gone is Foden’s former composure and confidence on this kind of stage. He used to be a key creative hub for Manchester City’s attack, bold with his decisions and daring to push limits. Yet nowadays, his passing choices have become overly cautious and risk-averse.
The editor believes that this FA Cup tie was the perfect chance for Foden to prove himself. However, just minutes before being substituted, he blazed a wild long-range effort high over the crossbar. That shot summed up his lacklustre display on the day and encapsulates his poor form throughout the entire season. To date, Foden has failed to score or assist in 24 consecutive matches, coming off the bench in most of those games.