Guardiola backs Man City’s Foden to emerge from slump

Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden is set to emerge from his slump after the Manchester City forward admitted he has been suffering from burnout.

Foden was a key figure in City’s Premier League title triumph last season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions to earn the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year award.

The 24-year-old has struggled to recapture that dynamic form this season and has started only one league game so far.

Foden revealed he has felt fatigued after his draining role in City’s title success was immediately followed by England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.

With little time to rest, he has been a shadow of himself after playing 69 games for club and country last term.

But Guardiola hopes his second goal this season in Wednesday’s 5-0 rout of Sparta Prague in the Champions League was a sign he is finally getting back in the groove.

“I’m not concerned at all about how long it takes. When he is fine he will get it. He is a natural, incredible talent who solves the game for himself,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

“In a career with many years already for Phil you have these bumps, these ups and downs. You try to make them smaller.

“In the game against Sparta, the first goal showed he figured it out. They are human beings, try to be patient. Let them know we are with them.”

– De Bruyne concern –

Guardiola needs Foden at his best as forwards Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku have been ruled out of Saturday’s clash against Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

Kevin De Bruyne will also miss this weekend’s game, with Guardiola uncertain how long it will be before the Belgium midfielder is back in action.

De Bruyne, who has battled fitness issues for much of the past year, has been sidelined since coming