Manchester City fans are worried about Phil Foden upon hearing what Pep Guardiola has said about the England international’s season thus far.
Guardiola’s men head into the Manchester Derby on Sunday having won just one and lost seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Such dismal form has seen the reigning Premier League champions languishing in fourth, some eight points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more than Arne Slot’s side.
Advert
Guardiola has partly credited City’s form to the loss of Rodri to injury, while also highlighting last season’s player of the year Foden’s fitness struggles this term. Foden has started just six of the 15 Premier League games so far.
He said: "We are playing this season without the best player of the Ballon d'Or, Rodri and without the best player in England last season, Foden".
"Not one team can play without central defenders, without the Ballon d'Or, and best Premier League player for all the season".
Advert
Some fans on X expressed concern for Foden after Guardiola’s comments.
One person said: “Do you know how bad you have to be playing for your own manager to think you’re unavailable?”
A second said: “‘Without Foden’? Bro Foden is not injured.”
A third person added: “‘Without Foden’ - Foden has literally been available but he’s been so bad you think he’s injured.”
Advert
Speaking to Amazon Prime on the personal impact of City’s poor form earlier in the week, Guardiola said his state of mind was "ugly", that his sleep was "worse" and he was eating lighter as his digestion had suffered.
Elaborating on his comments on Friday, Guardiola added: "I'm fine.
"In our jobs we always want to do our best or the best as possible. When that doesn't happen you are more uncomfortable than when the situation is going well, always that happened.
Advert
"In good moments I am happier but when I get to the next game I am still concerned about what I have to do. There is no human being that makes an activity and it doesn't matter how they do."
Topics: Manchester City, Phil Foden, Pep Guardiola, Premier League, Liverpool, Rodri