Phil Foden ‘increasingly frustrated by lack of playing time’ with midfielder desperate for streak of games

Phil Foden is said to be frustrated by lack of playing time at Manchester City after coming off the bench again during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United.

Despite not hurting his chances of a starting position with a confident performance and a coldly scored goal in the 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Arsenal midweek, Foden returned to the bench for the match against the magpies, something that is said to have had. the 20-year-old deeply shocked.

Pep Guardiola’s comments after the win over the Gunners have also raised concerns that Foden is not yet trusted to play a key role in City’s Premier League campaign, sources told Telegraph Sport.

Phil Foden is said to have been appalled at not having had a starting job against Newcastle

The 20-year-old returned to the bench despite scoring against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup

“Phil has incredible energy, but in the final decision, the final pass, he has to slow down a bit,” Guardiola said. You need experience to be calm in some [moments].

“Play soccer at the same pace and soccer should be played at different rates.

“Sometimes you have to walk, sometimes you have to have a rhythm and sometimes you have to change the rhythm.

‘In the last third, especially in the area, the best players have patience. You have this second of time or half a second of time to be willing to make a decision.

The English international’s start in a 1-1 draw against West Brom on December 15 was the first in the league in nearly two months despite being fit throughout the intervening period.

Foden has appeared much more prominently this period than in the early stages of last season, but he believes he can contribute much more.

Foden has found it difficult to break into City Three’s offensive midfield despite some good performances.

Guardiola’s change from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 has also restricted Foden a bit, as Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne have key spots on the left and at No. 10 respectively, while Riyad Mahrez or Bernardo Silva are the preferred options on the right.

However, Foden played on the right twice during Project Restart in what was a goal-laden comeback for the midfielder, as he scored once and again against Liverpool before scoring against Watford in July.

Foden then picked up where he left off in the current season as he took City second in a 3-1 opening day win against the Wolves, where he was again deployed down the right. However, he has not started in that position since.

Foden is not at the stage where he wants to leave and gets along with Pep Guardiola

However, the Stockport-born creator isn’t at the stage where he’s looking for a move, and he relies on Guardiola to take his game to new heights.

Guardiola and City have made it known how much they admire Foden, but it will be intriguing to see how the situation unfolds in the coming months.