Phil Foden's performance has declined significantly in the second half of the 2025-26 season, impacting his role at Manchester City. He struggled during the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, showing a lack of confidence.
One Manchester City player desperately needs a confidence boost
Unfortunately for Phil Foden and Manchester City, Fodenâs form has severely tapered off over the second half of the 2025-26 season. The England international started this season strongly after a difficult 2024-25 season. However, Fodenâs form across 2026 hasnât been anywhere near what it was. Phil Foden has recently become a bit-part player for Pep Guardiolaâs side. Foden started in Manchester Cityâs 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton last Saturday. Foden was taken off after 58 minutes, and judging by his performance at Wembley, Foden looks completely devoid of confidence and in desperate need of a spark to restore the confidence that forms a key part of his game.
Try as he might against Southampton at Wembley Phil Foden couldnât get into the match. Foden spent large parts of the FA Cup semi-final on the periphery of the game. When he did get on the ball, Fodenâs indecisiveness stood out, as he did his inability to help Manchester City break down Southamptonâs low defensive block. It was a shame to see Phil Foden not have the impact heâd have liked at Wembley. The occasion seemed like the ideal moment for the England international to come back to life as a player.
One moment midway through the first half of Manchester Cityâs dramatic 2-1 win over Southampton summed up Phil Fodenâs current plight. As City attacked, Foden received possession in midfield. The moment seemed made for the England international to drive at the Southampton defence. Alongside Foden was Mateo Kovacic. Instead of Foden dribbling at Southamptonâs stretched defence, he allowed Kovacic to take the ball off him. It may have seemed like a minor moment and one that has long been forgotten since Saturdayâs FA Cup semi-final. However, it did seem to be a moment that summed up that Foden is lacking the confidence in his game that makes him such a dangerous player when on song.
Phil Foden's form has tapered off due to a combination of factors, including a lack of confidence and limited playing time.
Foden struggled to make an impact during the FA Cup semi-final, spending much of the match on the periphery and being taken off after 58 minutes.
Foden needs a spark or a significant performance to restore his confidence, which is crucial for his playing style.
Foden has recently become a bit-part player for Manchester City, starting less frequently and not contributing significantly to the team's performance.
The Trail Blazers were eliminated in the first round by the Spurs, but they show promise with valuable fantasy assets. Key players like Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan had standout seasons, making them worth targeting for future drafts.
Steelers' UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers is a strategic move for compensatory picks.
ESPN analyst questions Saints' choice of Jordyn Tyson in NFL Draft
Chelsea's Mudryk fights drugs ban at Court of Arbitration for Sport
Braves make roster moves: Dylan Lee returns, Carlos Carrasco DFA'd
Fernando Tatis and Ronald Acuña are top buy-low targets in fantasy baseball.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
If someone coule create a magic formula to restore confidence to a player, theyâd make a fortune. Teams would pay through the nose for such a remedy. However, such an option doesnât exist. Watching Phil Foden play, he seems to need a moment of magic to spark him back to life.
That moment could be a match-winning goal from Foden, or perhaps a crucial assist, a pivotal touch, or anything along those lines. Something like that could be enough to release Fodenâs proverbial shackles. Phil Fodenâs class and quality as a player remain. That will never leave him. He is seemingly just devoid of confidence on the pitch right now, which seems to be affecting his play.
Phil Foden, at some point, will snap out of his poor and sustained run of form. The England international looks to be suffering from a lack of confidence, which did stand out as Manchester City beat Southampton at Wembley. Hopefully, confidence can return for Phil Foden sooner rather than later, and he gets back to his best for both club and country.