Phil Foden faces Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard concern amid worrying confession
Phil Foden left Wembley this week with his family – and a troubled look on his face, which is understandable, because Foden had just spent another week in England camp without making any impression whatsoever.
For longer than we cared to remember, critics hammered the performances of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in an England shirt.
The wide held belief was the duo couldn’t perform together on the international stage, and despite being generational talents, couldn’t reproduce their club form in a Three Lions shirt.
Well fast forward to 2025, and Foden is achieving something similar all on his own.
Although it should be noted that during England’s run the 2024 Euros final in Germany last summer, Foden struggled to make an impact while alongside Jude Bellingham.
He cut a frustrated figure, not least because Bellingham has become the dominant force for England – and likes to do things all on his own. But Foden’s poor form hasn’t just been reserved for England this season.
A combination of niggling injuries and private issues have seen him become a shadow of the player who led Manchester City to another league title last season, to see him crowned the PFA’s ‘Player of the Year’.
Yet football is fickle. And so, it seems, Foden might be.
Recent reports have suggested Foden has been affected by criticism on social media, while some team-mates in the City dressing room have raised concerns about his general demeanour.
He has previously admitted to suffering from ‘brain fog’ and mental fatigue during training sessions.
Foden has had a stellar career at club level already – at the ripe old age of 24. He has won 17 trophies, including six Premier League titles, which is three more than Gerrard and Lampard claimed between them.
But he offered a rare insight into his thinking a few weeks ago when Foden admitted he needed to start treasuring winning trophies, because you never know when it will all come to an end.
It’s great he appreciates the value of success, but worrying he thinks it might not happen again.
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Unless City win the FA Cup this season, silverware will not be forthcoming this time round for Foden, and the side which some people regard the greatest club one of all.
Perhaps it might have made more sense for Foden to have missed the recent England games, in a bid to refresh his mind as well as his limbs. Instead, he wanted to impress new boss Thomas Tuchel, but failed.
Foden is a generational talent, but is quickly becoming someone who personifies the footballer asked to play too many games. He needs a rest, but the game simply won’t allow it.
