Foden admits to struggling with mental issues through the season. ‘It’s been difficult,’ says Manchester City forward
Foden admits to facing challenges ‘off the pitch mentally’ this season.
According to Phil Foden, he has struggled “off the pitch mentally” this season and has been hindered by an ankle injury he sustained against Manchester United in April that is still not fully healed.
The Manchester City forward has found it difficult to replicate his stellar showing from the previous season, which included a career-high 27 goals and wins for both the Football Writers’ Player of the Year and Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year. He has only managed ten goals, hasn’t scored since January, and was just substituted in the 76th minute of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.
“It’s been difficult,” the 24-year-old said. “I picked up an ankle injury against United and it took time to heal before I could push myself back in training. A lot of people don’t know what football players have to go through and play with. I’ve had a lot of ankle pain and played with it in the last couple of months.
“It’s been a frustrating season. I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally. Sometimes there’s things in life bigger than football. This season I’ve struggled a little bit. Hopefully come next year I can get my head mentally right, get back where I left the season before because I know what I’m capable of doing and the quality I have.”
Foden has been supported by City. “Definitely,” he said. “The club has been so supportive. I can’t thank them enough. I know if everything was OK [off the pitch] I’d definitely be better on the field. Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it and move on. Now it’s about improving and getting back to my best. I know my standards and what I can reach.”