One Manchester City player looks like he would benefit from an extended break | OneFootball

This season has been a battle for Phil Foden. As Manchester City have struggled their plight could be summed up by Foden’s performances this campaign. He has failed to reach the lofty heights we saw him reach during the 23/24 season as Foden was a key player in City’s successful chase for a fourth consecutive Premier League title. But this season Foden has lacked the usual zip and energy to his play. When you watch Foden play, whether it’s for club or country, you do sense that he could benefit from an extended break from the game to refresh and recharge.

Phil Foden played in England’s recent 2-nil World Cup qualifier win over Albania. He wasn’t at his best in Thomas Tuchel’s side’s victory. Speaking after England’s win, Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, explained how he wanted Foden to play for his country. Tuchel told the media after his team’s win: “We will encourage him to do what he does best, to go at defenders, to go into dribbles. Both our wingers who started were not as impactful as they can be in club football. I’m not so sure why we struggled to bring the ball quickly to them.”

Phil Foden would benefit from a break from football but where he can get that isn’t immediately clear.

While Foden played on the wing in England’s victory over Albania you do feel that he could benefit from a break from football. Since the end of the 23/24 campaign, the Manchester City midfielder has barely had an opportunity to rest. He went to the European Championships with England and then stepped straight into the 24/25 season. Foden has missed games due to illness and injury this season. But he has made 37 appearances this season in another busy season for the England international. At some point, you do feel that Foden would benefit from a break from the game. The same could be said about a host of Foden’s teammates.

But the problem is where can Phil Foden have a break? Manchester City are in a battle to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League and have an FA Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth on the horizon. They will also take part in the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the season. Perhaps the fact that Pep Guardiola’s side predominantly plays a game a week for the remainder of the season will give Foden the break of sorts that he needs to recharge. But watching Foden play for both club and country you sense that he’d benefit from time away from the game. But the problem is, in the modern game, where can a player like Foden get the break he needs? That’s an issue for the games power brokers to solve as players like Phil Foden carry such a heavy workload season after season.