Manchester City attacking midfielder Phil Foden has spoken out about his “very slow start” to the new season.

The 24-year-old was handed the PFA Player of the Year award in August for his performances last campaign but he has not started a Premier League game this term, having been used only as a substitute against Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle. After a Player of the Match display in the Champions League against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday evening, Foden appears to be back to his best. Asked about his return to form, Foden replied:

“A good night for myself, obviously being back out there, obviously nice to score again. But more importantly, just enjoying my football again! I’m delighted with the result and how I played.”

Elaborating on why he has found it so difficult at the beginning of this campaign, he said:

“I’ve had a very slow start to the season with a bit of illness and a bit of fatigue. But I’m getting back into it now and feeling more like myself.”

Fans will be hoping Foden can kick on

It was somewhat concerning from a Manchester City perspective that the England international was being used so sparingly in the opening weeks of the season.

Based on Foden’s comments, it seems that fatigue and illness combined to make it a very challenging period for him. While the international break may not be coming at a great time,  supporters will hope that he can put in a string of good performances from now on.

City could do with his goals and creativity

Foden’s goal against Bratislava was his first goal involvement of the season, and he then followed it up with an assist for James McAtee.

Considering that he managed 27 goals and 12 assists last campaign, it will give City a much greater chance of winning silverware if he can reproduce those sorts of numbers again.

Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here