Phil Foden's fading fire cause for concern at Man City

The 24-year-old, once a cornerstone of their success, appears to be a shadow of the dynamic talent who lit up the Premier League last term.

Foden scooped the PFA Player of the Year award in 2023-24, firing Manchester City to the title with an impressive haul of 19 goals and eight assists. That sparkling form, however, deserted him at Euro 2024, where he struggled to shine for England, and the slump has followed him back to club football.

Since netting in City's 3-1 victory over Chelsea in January, he has failed to score or assist in the Premier League, a stark contrast to his previous heroics.

Manager Pep Guardiola has taken notice, dropping Foden to the bench for two of City's last three league outings. Even when handed a start against Nottingham Forest, he lasted just 69 minutes before being substituted.

"When a manager selects an XI, whether it's right or wrong, it's because they believe they're going to win that game," Guardiola said earlier this month, brushing off suggestions that Foden's lack of energy was behind his reduced role.

Across the international stage, new England boss Thomas Tuchel included Foden in his first squad but was left unimpressed by his showing on the wing against Albania.

Tuchel has since opted for Jarrod Bowen ahead of Monday's clash with Latvia, signaling a shift in faith. "We hope for more impact in these positions, more dribbling, more aggressive runs towards the box," Tuchel said after the Albania game. "Phil is just maybe not finding the momentum at the moment that he can have."

Tuchel acknowledged Foden's struggles, adding, "For Phil, it's a difficult season at the club. He comes from several weeks where he does not find the rhythm that he found last season. We called him up to show him our support and our love and commitment." Yet, with the World Cup looming, reports suggest Tuchel won't hesitate to axe underperformers, putting Foden's spot in jeopardy.

Behind the scenes, the Daily Mail has reported that Manchester City players are increasingly concerned for their teammate. Some have noted he's lost weight during this challenging spell, while others point to his frustration over being shifted to the left wing at the Euros to accommodate Jude Bellingham centrally, a role he's also struggled to master back at City this season.

As Manchester City prepare for their next test, the question looms: can their once-unstoppable star reignite his spark? Football fans across the globe are watching closely.

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