An ankle injury saw Nico O’Reilly miss Manchester City’s 2-all draw with Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium last night. In O’Reilly’s absence, Phil Foden returned to the Manchester City starting lineup. Last night felt like a big moment in Phil Foden’s season. After starting this season strongly, Foden has fallen down the pecking order at City as his form has faded. Heading into last night’s match, City needed Foden to fire. Phil Foden needed the confidence boost that comes with an impactful performance. Come the final whistle, the England international didn’t have the impact he would have liked, and you were left wondering if Foden is now suffering from a severe lack of confidence.
Phil Foden started last night’s match brightly before fading out of the game.
For the first 25 minutes of last night’s match, Phil Foden did look up for the occasion. His touch was there, and he helped City dominate possession although Forest were dangerous on the counter. Foden combined well with his teammates and his clever touches and passing was a key part of Manchester City’s play. The England international also got into dangerous positions in the final third. It seemed early on that Foden could have been set for a big game.
But that changed around the 26-minute mark of last night’s match. Phil Foden played a dangerous ball to Rodri that resulted in the Spanish international being dispossessed in midfield. Nottingham Forest broke forward, and Morgan Gibbs-White fired a weak shot at Gianluigi Donnarumma from a good position. Forest’s chance came from Foden’s error, and from that moment onward, Foden’s performance lacked the spark it had at the beginning of the match. That particular moment did seem to dent Foden’s confidence.
If one moment sums up Phil Foden’s struggles at the moment, it came in the buildup to Elliot Anderson’s equalizer last night in the 76th minute. Anderson received the ball in space in midfield. Foden failed to close down the England international with any intent. Anderson played a neat one-two with Callum Hudson-Odoi to get himself into a position to shoot. Foden failed to track Anderson, who subsequently unleashed an unstoppable low drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards to make the game 2-all. Foden looked lost in that particular moment, and it was his final contribution to last night’s match before he was substituted.
It must also be said that Phil Foden isn’t the reason that Manchester City dropped points last night against Nottingham Forest. A host of City players weren’t at their best and Phil Foden was one of many who didn’t play at their usual high standards.
Phil Foden’s form has been an ongoing issue for some time now. Foden was well below his best last season. This season, he started strongly before his form tapered off. Last season, Foden had his own personal issues that have been well-documented. This season, it just seems like Foden’s confidence has faded as the season has progressed. Manchester City need Foden back to his best, and preferably as soon as possible. How City can get Foden firing again isn’t immediately apparent.
Last night seemed made for Phil Foden to make an impact, but he didn’t have the influence in a crucial game for Manchester City. Foden seems to be lacking in confidence right now, and there doesn’t appear to be a simple solution to help him get that back. As City continue their quest for honors on multiple fronts this season, they need Foden back in good form. Unfortunately, right now, it doesn’t seem like Phil Foden will break the shackles anytime soon.