Phil Foden’s participation in England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures is in doubt after a recent fitness setback forced him to miss Manchester City’s 3-1 win over West Ham on Saturday.
The absence of the dynamic midfielder comes as a blow for both his club and country, as Foden remains a vital component of both squads.
Manchester City secured their latest victory at the London Stadium with a hat-trick from Erling Haaland, comfortably overcoming West Ham. Despite conceding a single goal—an own goal by Ruben Dias—the reigning Premier League champions looked strong throughout.
However, they were without Foden, who was sidelined due to illness. His ongoing absence has sparked concerns about his availability for England’s matches in September, even though he was recently named in interim manager Lee Carsley’s squad.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, expressed hope that Foden would recover in time to return after the international break, but he could not provide a definitive timeline for the midfielder’s fitness. “Hopefully not [too long].
Hopefully after the international break he’ll be ready,” Guardiola told reporters. He further elaborated that Foden had managed to play 45 minutes against Chelsea, but subsequently reported feeling unwell.
Despite undergoing tests and showing signs of improvement, Foden still doesn’t feel completely fit. Guardiola emphasized his preference for Foden to take the necessary time to recover fully and be ready for Manchester City’s games following the international break.
So far this season, Foden has only played 45 minutes in Manchester City’s 2024/25 campaign, missing matches against Ipswich Town and West Ham. Should he return to full fitness after the break, he could be available for Manchester City’s match against Brentford, scheduled for 14 September.
Meanwhile, Lee Carsley, serving as England’s interim manager, has included Foden in his squad for a doubleheader against the Republic of Ireland and Finland on 7 and 10 September.
However, Foden’s participation remains uncertain due to his current fitness concerns. His potential absence would be a setback for Carsley, who is preparing to lead the Three Lions in these crucial fixtures.
Foden’s situation reflects broader concerns over player fitness and recovery in a tightly packed football calendar. As both Manchester City and England closely monitor his progress, the hope is that the young talent will soon return to full strength and make a significant impact in the coming games. For now, though, both teams must prepare for their respective challenges with the possibility that Foden may not be available.
