Pep Guardiola gives Phil Foden his backing after Man City star’s England snub

Pep Guardiola expects Phil Foden to make a swift return for England after he was one of a number of eye-catching omissions from Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad on Friday.

Tuchel also left out Jude Bellingham and the in-form Jack Grealish for matches against Wales and Latvia, with this the third straight England squad Foden has missed.

After falling short of his own highest standards last season the 25-year-old has found better form this term, with two goals and two assists in seven appearances for Manchester City to date.

“Thomas knows what he needs for the national team a thousand million times better than me,” Guardiola said. “All I can say is that if Phil is still playing like he is playing, he will be back.

“I am happy when players go to the national team but I am even more happy when they come back healthy, that’s for sure.”

Foden seems certain to start on Sunday when City head to one of his favourite hunting grounds to face Brentford, where he has scored six goals in four appearances.

“He’s the best player we have in the small spaces in the final third by far,” Guardiola added. “Last year we missed his goals and assists. The desire to score a goal is the best we have.”

City head to west London on the back of Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw away to Monaco. Erling Haaland’s brace was not enough as they missed chances for a decisive third before Eric Dier won and scored a late penalty.

Haaland did not hold back in his post-match interviews, saying he was “p***** off” by the result.

“All of us were,” Guardiola said when asked about Haaland’s comments, adding he was happy to see that sort of response from one of the leaders in his dressing room even if he does not say such things himself.

“What can I say? I like when