Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claims Phil Foden played his “best minutes” of the season against Newcastle at the weekend.
After being so integral to the club’s success in 2023/24, Foden has found himself on the bench since the beginning of the new campaign but, speaking after the draw at St James’ Park, Guardiola said:
“Phil in that position may be one of the best, he’s so clever. He was the best player in the league last season, he’s been out but today he played the best minutes. I would say he was really good and dynamic and I’m happy step-by-step he is coming back.”
Supporters on X had a mixed reaction to the comments, with some calling for Foden to be reinstated to the starting lineup, while others have questioned the level of his performances in recent weeks:
He is coming Back
— Shahid Rasool (@ShahidR99152) September 28, 2024
What match did you watch Mr!?
— Nazeer 😌 (@OmahFoden) September 28, 2024
He would say this and bench him next game😭😭😭
— A . L . E. X™ (@AlexMCI05) September 28, 2024
Has too start ahead of Gundogan in middle
— Dlmorgan (@Dlmorgan7) September 28, 2024
He will be back in form.
Just seems a little out of rhythm.— CityInsight (@insight_city) September 28, 2024
He rested all summer , did nothing in the euros
— peter slater (@peterslater4) September 28, 2024
Pep will literally praise foden and bench him vs Fulham
— AnimeBuuga (@AnimeBuuga) September 28, 2024
Foden has had fitness issues
It should be noted that the 24-year-old had an extended period on the sidelines after contracting a virus, which kept him out of action for a few games.
Foden missed the wins over Ipswich Town and West Ham before the international break, and he didn’t go away with England. He was also an unused substitute against Brentford a couple of weeks ago.
City will rotate their squad midweek
The Premier League champions will be taking on Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The Slovakian side lost 5-1 to Celtic in their first fixture.
With that in mind, Guardiola is expected to ring the changes, with Foden set to come back into the eleven.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
