Phil Foden’s involvement in England’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches is uncertain after a recent fitness issue forced him to miss Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday.
Foden’s absence is a significant setback for both his club and country, as he is a key player for both teams.
Manchester City secured their win at the London Stadium with a hat-trick from Erling Haaland, despite conceding an own goal by Ruben Dias.
However, they were without Foden, who was sidelined due to illness, raising concerns about his availability for England’s September fixtures, despite being 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 couldn’t give a definite timeline.
“Hopefully not [too long]. Hopefully after the international break he’ll be ready,” Guardiola said.
He mentioned that Foden had played 45 minutes against Chelsea but felt unwell afterward.
Despite some improvement, Foden still doesn’t feel fully fit, and Guardiola prefers him to take the necessary time to recover completely.
This season, Foden has only played 45 minutes, missing matches against Ipswich Town and West Ham.
If he regains full fitness, he could be available for Manchester City’s match against Brentford on 14 September.
Meanwhile, Carsley has included Foden in England’s squad for matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland on 7 and 10 September, though his participation is uncertain due to his current fitness concerns.
Foden’s situation highlights broader concerns over player fitness in a congested football schedule.
Both Manchester City and England will closely monitor his progress, hoping he returns to full strength soon, but must prepare for the possibility that he may not be available for their upcoming challenges.
