Season of Phil Foden's return
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 05.10.25. | 15:10
Pep Guardiola publicly praised Man City's forward after he had openly admitted having mental health issues
The 2023/2024 season was individually the most outstanding in Phil Foden's career. In 53 appearances for Man City, he recorded a so-called "double-double" of 27 goals (19 in the EPL) and 13 assists in all competitions. He won his sixth league trophy with the Cityzens and was pronounced Premier League Player of the Season.
And then things started going south for the England international. He did finish the previous campaign with 13 goals and seven assists in 49 matches, but he wasn't the Foden that football fans were used to watching week after week. He seemed cold, uninterested, and unbothered.
Everyone noticed it and wondered what was going on with him. Pep Guardiola couldn't find a solution to lift him, and Foden became irregular at the national team. But then the answer behind everything appeared - mental health issues.
He had come out, publicly acknowledging having problems and enduring "things off the pitch mentally." And as if that took an immense burden off his chest, the beginning of the current season was a whole other story for the 25-year-old.
In seven games so far in this campaign, he recorded two goals and as many assists, while his deadlock-breaker in the derby against Man United was crucial.
The phoenix-like rise of his player undoubtedly rejoiced Guardiola, who publicly praised Foden in the pre-match press conference ahead of the EPL clash against Brentford (18.30).
Pep Guardiola on Phil Foden admitting that he was struggling mentally: “How strong he is to admit that, right? A figure like Phil can be open minded and speak to all the world, society like today in young teenagers and even old people have struggled with that. Nobody is away from… pic.twitter.com/YR0eT1mDDq
— City Report (@cityreport_) October 4, 2025
"How strong he is for admitting it. A figure like Phil can be open minded and speak to all of society. Today the young teenagers and even older people struggle with that - nobody is away from that, everyone can be that."
"To accept the reality, wow. That's why when I see him now - and forget about the level he is performing, which is a top level... it's about how he has been."
🚨 fun fact, Man city have scored six goals away at Brentford since they got promoted.
— ⚡️🇧🇼 (@Priceless_MCI) October 5, 2025
All scored by Phil foden, it’s his play ground. pic.twitter.com/0STtqth6hV
"The joy in the training session is back, his laugh and his voice in the locker room. That is enough. It's just what we want," the Spaniard stated via Daily Mail.
Today, against the Bees, Foden is expected in the XI once again. After all, Gtech Community Stadium has been one of his favourite, as he scored all six Man City's goals at Brentford's home turf since the London side returned to England's top flight in 2021!
Therefore, all the football fans out there have every right to hope for his another decent performance, because that will be the proof that he won the most important battle.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 7
Friday
Bournemouth - Fulham 3-1 (0-0)
/Semenyo 78, 90+6, Kluivert 84 - Sessegnon 70/
Saturday
Leeds - Tottenham 1-2 (1-1)
/Okafor 34 - Tel 23, Kudus 57/
Arsenal - West Ham 2-0 (1-0)
/Rice 38, Saka 67 pen/
Manchester United - Sunderland 2-0 (2-0)
/Mount 8, Sesko 31/
Chelsea - Liverpool 2-1 (1-0)
/Caicedo 14, Estevao 90+5 - Gakpo 63/
Sunday
16.00: (1.60) Aston Villa (3.90) Burnley (6.00)
16.00: (2.60) Everton (3.20) Crystal Palace (3.00)
16.00: (1.65) Newcastle (3.70) Nott.Forest (5.60)
16.00: (3.80) Wolverhampton (3.50) Brighton (2.00)
18.30: (4.85) Brentford (4.30) Man.City (1.65)
***odds are subject to change***
