I burned out at Man City after landmark season - now I'm back with a simple request for Guardiola

Phil Foden looked like he had simply picked up where he left off on Wednesday night. He picked up the ball, span past three defenders and arrowed an effort into the bottom corner.

But this was a goal that felt significant because we simply haven't seen Foden display that kind of form for Manchester City this season.

The reigning Premier League and PFA Player of the Year, Foden hit his highest heights last season, before helping England to the Euro 2024 final. And then, in his own words, he burned out.

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Foden has made just four starts this season, and none in any big games. They have come against Watford, Slovan Bratislava, Fulham and Sparta Prague. He returned to City after his Euro 2024 exploits with injury, missed pre-season, and then missed some games with illness.

He simply hasn't been able to rediscover his form from last season that cemented his status as the best in the league. Even Pep Guardiola has been cryptic about Foden needing to be in the right place mentally before he can be at his best on the field.

But while Foden acknowledges his struggles so far this season, he isn't worried.

"Obviously it's been a bit of a slow start for me," he told reporters after starting against Sparta. "Every player goes through it. I'm glad I'm back and enjoying my football again.

"Even last year I started a little bit slow. I don't think there's been a big difference in performances. Obviously I've not started as many. 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."

Maybe this is what makes Foden so dangerous when everything is going right. Nothing fazes him. What has been described in the media as a player desperately out of form is simply a 'bump in the road' for him.

Perhaps more concerningly, Foden also admits he felt burned out after the Euros. He played 53 times for City last season including 48 starts, plus 12 England caps between August 2023 and July 2024.

The year before he played 48 games for City and ten times for England. At 24 years old he has over 300 games for club and country - already in his eighth season with Guardiola's first team.

"Last year was so many games. I put everything I could into it," he explained. "I came back a little bit fatigued which is normal. Rodri came back like that as well, a few players. It's normal with how many games we play - you have to burn out at some point."

When his workload over the last few years is taken into account, maybe it's not so much a surprise that he has 'burned out' this summer, but rather that it's taken so long to happen.

Now, Foden is only looking forward and is looking to put that bump behind him. And without making a direct plea to Guardiola, he says he now needs regular games to truly get his form back.

"Maybe I've still got steps to go forward. I need a run of games to get to my best," he says. "As long as I keep making progress and my fitness is getting back as well. And if I keep scoring as well - that's the main thing I want to do, the same as last year: affect games and score for the team.

"I was the best player last year that's what everyone wants to see. That's the standard I've set myself and I want to get back to that.

"I don't feel pressure. I just enjoy the football and don't think about the outside. But I do put pressure on myself to get better. I always want to push myself."

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Manchester City wrapped up the 2023/24 season with a fourth successive Premier League title, but they missed out on another Treble with defeat in the FA Cup final and Champions League quarter-finals. It's now time for Pep Guardiola and co to turn their attention to the transfer window.

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