Pundit blames underperforming Man City star for 'affecting' Pep Guardiola's title chances
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Manchester City are huge outsiders to win this season’s Premier League title.
Despite being crowned English champions in the past four consecutive seasons, Pep Guardiola’s side, having now lost four in a row, are way off the pace this term.
Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat away to title-favourites Liverpool on Sunday saw them slump to fifth in the table and sit 11 points from top spot — truly unfamiliar territory for many in the squad, including Phil Foden, who has, up until now, enjoyed success on a remarkable level.
Struggling Phil Foden heaping pressure on Man City
Having been promoted from the Citizens’ academy in 2017, Foden, now with six Premier League titles to his name, is already one of Europe’s most decorated players.
This season is shaping up to be the midfielder’s biggest career challenge yet, though.
Despite starting six Premier League matches this term, including Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool, City’s number 47, who scored 19 domestic goals last time out, has so far failed to make an impact.
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Champions League | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| EFL Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Although doing well in Europe, the 24-year-old’s poor domestic performances are evident for all to see.
In the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, the Stockport-born ace has been tasked with being his side’s most creative player — a role he is clearly struggling to fulfil.
Stuart Pearce suggests Foden nowhere near Kevin De Bruyne level
The latest name to weigh in on the City playmaker’s struggles has been pundit and former England international Stuart Pearce. The ex-defender has criticised Foden for his failure to replicate De Bruyne’s importance and produce the goods when his manager needs it the most.
“The fact that Foden hasn’t scored in the league this season is affecting City,” he told talkSPORT.
“Phil is suffering a little bit, there’s no doubt about that. You’d have hoped that with [Kevin] De Bruyne sat on the bench that Phil would be the natural one to take the mantle and lead the team.”
De Bruyne, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, was named among Guardiola’s substitutes for Sunday’s blockbuster at Anfield.
The Belgium international, who eventually replaced Foden after 79 minutes, was barely given a chance to impact the game, though, and Guardiola’s reluctance to introduce him sooner has renewed speculation the midfielder’s time at the Etihad is coming to an end.
