Pep Guardiola gives Phil Foden reality check after Man City win - 'He lost a lot'

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke honestly about Phil Foden after the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace

Pep Guardiola was critical of Phil Foden's performance at Crystal Palace despite the Manchester City star's goal in their 3-0 win. Foden scored the second in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel to continue his excellent form, yet his club manager thought it was not one of the 25-year-old's better performances.

The fact that he was still able to influence the game, and that Guardiola was happy to go against the public opinion and point out the shortcomings in Foden's display, points to the better place that the midfielder finds himself in. After winning the individual awards as the best player in the Premier League in the 2023/24 season, physical and mental burnout reduced the playmaker to a shadow of his former self last term.

However, he has bounced back impressively this season and has six league goals in his last four games in a City team that has cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to two points. If Foden can improve even further on his current level, that will go a long way to helping the Blues sustain their form.

"I know people may think differently but I think Phil today was not good, he didn’t play at his best," said Guardiola. "He lost a lot of balls, he was in a rush with decisions and was so anxious. He has to keep the ball and be associated with the other ones and in the right moments make explosions that only he has in terms of goals and assists.

"Before he arrives there, he has to be more calm. But he wants to do it well and sometimes he makes situations not clear but Phil in terms of work ethic defensively, how he presses, how he comes back, he is incredible. Even with my opinion today, one of the best at the end was Phil. He ran maybe the most in the team and scored a goal because close to the box he was unbelievable.

"He has a lot of margin to understand the game. He will not improve this incredible quality because it is top but understanding the game, the way you have certain moments, the way you have to accelerate or decelerate, just the timing of the tempo he will give it. Everyone has a margin to improve. Everyone."