“A lot for the body” – Phil Foden offers honest and personal insight into Manchester City struggles earlier this season | OneFootball

Manchester City’s superstar midfielder Phil Foden has shone light on his personal struggles earlier this season that had a direct impact on his performances.

The England international has found his feet once more in a Sky Blue shirt in recent weeks, emerging as a leading light in a difficult run of form as Manchester City look to bounce back from a hugely detrimental two-month run across competitions.

A poor run of form across November and December has left City largely out of the Premier League title race and now looking to fight for a top-four position, while in the Champions League they had to settle for a play-off position in 22nd in the table.

Foden’s new-found form in the centre of the park and in front of goal has played a significant role in Manchester City recording some much more positive results, and that has enabled the Stockport-born playmaker to look back in reflection at a challenging start to the campaign.

Speaking during a new and exclusive interview with the Manchester Evening News, Phil Foden has admitted that the relentless nature of his still young Manchester City and professional football career finally took its toll earlier this year.

“It was a challenging moment. I’ve been playing since the age of five pushing myself every day to be the best I can. It’s just the way I am, I’ve always given 100 per cent in training but when you add up all the game and all the travelling it is a lot for the body,” explained Foden.

He continued, “I just wasn’t feeling 100 per cent when I was training, and then there were a few niggles. There were times when I was getting frustrated a lot because I enjoy my football and want to be out there and when things are not helping you to be 100 per cent it’s really difficult to accept that.

“For me, football is played with the brain and when the brain is mentally fatigued you’re not going to see a player for who he is. I’m normally itching to get back but when I came back my body and my mental state was low. I had a bit of rest, just to give my body time to recover.”

Reflecting on the earlier stages of the ongoing campaign, the 24-year-old said, “I took the start of the season very slowly, I didn’t play much and I was just resting and trying to get back to myself.

“My body just didn’t feel how I was used to and it’s something that I’ve had to deal with. I feel that’s the reason why I had a slow start to the season. When you start the season good, I feel you have the rest of the season good but I missed periods at the start of the season so I think that’s why it’s taken me so long to get going.

“You can’t dwell on it too much, these things happen to footballers and I’ve slowly been getting back to myself.”

Having overcome the pressure of needing to secure a win on the final matchday of the league phase in this season’s UEFA Champions League, Phil Foden and Manchester City can now readjust their focusses.

Pep Guardiola’s players are next due to travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they take on Arsenal in the Premier League, eyeing a further three points to strengthen their challenge for a top-four position this season.