Manchester City need their wonder boy to lift after his slow start to the season | OneFootball

It isn’t a stretch to say that Phil Foden has made a slow start to the 24/25 season. After his dominant 23/24 campaign, the England international has struggled to match the high standards he set last season. But going forward, Manchester City need their wonder boy to return to his best. Preferably sooner rather than later, as Pep Guardiola’s side currently finds themselves on a four-match losing skid.

Against Brighton in their 2-1 defeat the scene did appear set for Phil Foden to finally make his mark on the season. Manchester City entered Saturday’s match on the back of three consecutive defeats. But Foden couldn’t affect the game he would’ve liked. He wasn’t alone in that regard as a host of his teammates ran out of steam in the second half. That allowed Brighton to overrun Pep Guardiola’s side on their way to a deserved victory. Foden’s performance at the Amex Stadium was a microcosm of his season to date. He had his moments but wasn’t at his usual high standard of performance.

But Manchester City need Foden to quickly return to his best. The same can be said for a host of City players but Foden is crucial to City’s play. In a time that lacks bonafide goal-scoring options, City’s boy wonder is crucial to Pep Guardiola’s side. So far this season Foden has scored 3 goals in 14 appearances and added 2 assists. That is well below his usual output. Last season Foden scored 27 goals and added 12 assists. His current output is well below the lofty standards he set a season ago.

Of course, there are reasons for that. Foden had a busy summer with England and, like so many other players who featured in the European Championships and Copa America, City’s wonder boy has been playing catch up fitness-wise since the season began. He also went down with illness just after the season began which also has affected the England international. These are both valid reasons for Foden’s slow start to the season.

But Manchester City needs Foden to rediscover his best form. When he is at his best the world champions are a different team. Erling Haaland is screaming out for support in the final third. When Foden is firing he provides exactly that. He is a crucial component of City’s play, and the quicker he is back to his best, the better Pep Guardiola’s side will be. The challenge is for Foden to rediscover his best form once the international break is over.

Manchester City need Phil Foden at his best. That statement also rings true for a host of City’s players. But Foden provides exactly what City are missing when he is in full flight. The hope is he can return from the international break and kickstart his season.