“I'm making steps in the right direction” - Manchester City star Phil Foden opens up on reason behind poor start to the season

Manchester City star Phil Foden has explained the reasons behind his slow start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. He's started just one English top-flight fixture and has yet to score in the competition, while he's produced an assist.

However, the England international claims that he was fatigued as he entered the new campaign, as was his Spanish teammate Rodri. Both players went through grueling club campaigns and then made it to the final of Euro 2024 with their respective national teams.

Overall, Foden has made nine appearances so far this season across competitions, bagging two goals and assists each. Explaining the reasons behind this sluggish start, the 24-year-old said (via GOAL):

"Last year there were so many games. I put everything I could into it. I came back a little bit fatigued, which is normal. Rodri came back like that as well, a few players. It's normal how many games we play - you have to burnout at some point. I'm making steps in the right direction and trying to get back to my best."

He added:

"I had a bit of fatigue coming back from last year, a bit of illness. A few niggles as well. A few things added together. But if you speak to any player they've all been through it, the ups and downs of football. It was just a bump in the road if you like, I'm delighted I'm back and enjoying my football."

There certainly will be big expectations from Foden after he won the PFA Player of the Year award last year. He made 53 appearances across competitions in the 2023/24 campaign, bagging 27 goals and 12 assists.

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Phil Foden praises Manchester City teammate's goal-scoring ability

John Stones

Phil Foden lavished praise on Manchester City teammate John Stone's ability inside the opposition box. These comments came after the English defender scored a winner against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday (October 20). He followed it up with a strike in the Champions League against Sparta Praha in midweek.

The pair know each other fairly well, having played 175 matches together across competitions for club and country, bagging two joint goal contributions. Speaking about Stones, Foden said (via the club's official website):

“Great striker isn’t it?! Johnny is always a threat when he’s up there. He’s scored two late goals now for us, in the league and one tonight. He’s a big threat."

So far this season, Stones has made eight appearances across competitions for Manchester City, bagging three goals. Expect him to start against Southampton tomorrow (October 26).