Ex-Manchester United and England striker, Wayne Rooney, stated that Phil Foden’s participation in the EFL Cup final on Sunday seemed akin to a “charity” change.
Manchester City secured the cup at Wembley Stadium after a 2-0 triumph against their league competitors, Arsenal, thanks to a second-half brace from the 21-year-old Nico O’Reilly.
As Pep Guardiola’s squad concluded the match, Foden was brought on as a substitute in the 90th minute, taking the place of Rayan Cherki.
The English international has struggled to secure consistent playing minutes during the latter part of the campaign, having featured from the outset in merely four of City’s last 13 matches across all competitions.
Foden: ‘Life Has Its Fluctuations’
Foden, who has failed to net in his last 20 outings since mid-December, conceded after the final that football isn’t always straightforward.
He remarked: “Football can sometimes be complex.
“There are highs and lows, and occasionally you cannot perform at your peak, which is simply how things are.
“The key is how you recover. I am still remaining focused, diligently training each day.
“Hopefully, I return much fitter after the international break, and I can receive increased playing time and regain my early-season form.”
‘A charity sub’
Speaking on the Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney conveyed compassion for Foden, noting that circumstances are “challenging” for the 25-year-old currently.
“I felt a sense of regret for him [Foden], though not because he featured in a cup final.
Just recently, in another match, he wasn’t even introduced. If it were Max Dowman being brought on late, one might consider it valuable exposure. However, witnessing Phil Foden enter a cup final, it appeared to be a charitable substitution just to grant him pitch time.
“I am unsure what has transpired; he is an elite athlete. It seems peculiar that he cannot command a spot anywhere near the squad. It suggests an issue has arisen.
“I believed Foden was in excellent shape, but abruptly we haven’t seen him receive any playing time. While he will undoubtedly be content that they clinched the cup, from a personal perspective, he would have desired to be on the field, making an impact.
“That will undoubtedly be a difficult situation for him.”
Foden will be aiming to assume a more significant part as City pursue the Gunners for the Premier League title, concurrently focusing on earning a place in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
He has been included in Thomas Tuchel’s 35-player roster for the Three Lions’ two international fixtures against Uruguay and Japan, scheduled at Wembley Stadium towards the close of March.