Man City news: Opinion – It’s time to talk Phil Foden

When watching Phil Foden at the moment, it is difficult to enjoy in many ways.

We are seeing a player struggling for form, playing without expression, and perhaps battling mental fatigue after some of the most remarkable seasons by the age of 24 ever witnessed.

Not many superstars in the game have won the number of individual accolades Foden has, before even taking into consideration the boatload of collective silverware he has played a vital role in under Pep Guardiola.

However, he is the man many Manchester City fans will want the squad to turn to for a revival in form in the final weeks of the campaign to drive the club over the line in the Premier League and as far as possible in the FA Cup.

This is his club – he is perhaps the player who cares the most about it deep down because of his roots. In a time of real need, he is the one to carry us through a difficult end to a season that has brought about various challenges, not least for Foden himself.

Whether it is a run of form in the centre of the park for City, or simply the providing of big moments in front of goal, fans will almost certainly look beyond the campaign endured by Foden as a whole if he can deliver when it really matters most.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra