Phil Foden, the Manchester City midfielder, has acknowledged a challenging period in his career following his omission from the England squad for the recent World Cup. The 26-year-old, who helped City secure a fourth consecutive Premier League title two years ago, faced a difficult 2025-26 season marked by fluctuating form, positional changes, and physical and mental fatigue.

Foden’s difficulties began after his performance at Euro 2024, where he was notably less effective while playing out of position under then-England manager Gareth Southgate. Despite a strong start to the following season, his form declined in the new year, culminating in his exclusion from the England team by coach Thomas Tuchel. Foden described the initial news as painful, and watching his former teammates compete on the international stage was emotionally tough. He spent part of the tournament watching games at a local pub, where the experience was bittersweet.

Reflecting on the last season, Foden noted that it felt like “a season of two halves.” He performed well initially but struggled to maintain consistent playing time and effectiveness across different positions later on. He attributed some of his difficulties to the challenge of adapting to various roles on the pitch, which affected his ability to find rhythm and maintain performance levels. Nevertheless, he emphasized the importance of resilience in professional sports and expressed a desire for a fresh start.

Foden has committed his future to Manchester City by signing a new contract that could extend until 2031. He expressed gratitude to the club, particularly under their new manager Enzo Maresca, whose personal outreach following Foden’s England omission was especially meaningful. The midfielder said the new deal brought a sense of stability and allowed him to focus on returning to his best form.

Having been part of Manchester City since he was a child, Foden reaffirmed his loyalty to the club, stating he had never seriously considered leaving. Looking ahead, he highlighted his ambition to keep winning trophies alongside both experienced and new teammates as the club embarks on this new phase under Maresca’s leadership.