Phil Foden Agrees as Pep Guardiola Slams His Performance vs Palace

Phil Foden’s goal in Manchester City‘s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace wasn’t enough to prevent Pep Guardiola from publicly calling out his performance at Selhurst Park. Foden has given his thoughts on his manager’s verdict, which comes despite the English attacker’s return to form.

The 25-year-old has been back to his best as of late, and his low-driven strike against Palace took his tally for the season to seven goals and two assists in 14 league games. He has linked up well with Erling Haaland, who is spearheading City’s title challenge, with Guardiola’s men sitting just two points behind leaders Arsenal.

Guardiola wasn’t entirely pleased with his side’s win and made clear he felt Foden was “not good” despite the Englishman’s goal. The Spaniard suggested he gave the ball away too much, “rushed decisions,” and was “so anxious.”

Foden Responds To Guardiola

Foden has now responded to Guardiola’s criticism, agreeing with his boss, particularly about the need to be more relaxed. He told BBC:

“I agree! In the first half, I gave a lot of balls away, the second as well. I was trying to do too much, and [against] a team like Crystal Palace I think you need to relax a bit more, and play extra passes.”

Foden’s resurgence has seen him return to the England squad and bounce back from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. But he stressed, much like Guardiola, that there was more to come:

“It’s a good thing he said that, because I agree. I knew I could’ve done a lot better, but that’s the standard I set myself, so does he. He knows there’s more to come from me and hopefully I can get there…”

Guardiola was seen putting his arm around Foden after the win over Palace and perhaps pointing out his issues directly to the City star. The Spaniard’s handling of the club’s academy graduate is well-documented as he slowly bedded him into the senior team at the start of his career.

Foden’s Battle For England World Cup Starting Role

Thomas Tuchel was a notable spectator at Selhurst Park, watching Foden net his 10th goal of the season across all competitions. He has returned to form ahead of next summer’s World Cup after a difficult year, which coincided with City’s shocking nosedive.

Foden will undoubtedly be eager to earn a starting berth in Tuchel’s England team out in North America, but he is up against heavy competition. Jude Bellingham has long been one of the Three Lions’ star men, and many expect the Real Madrid star to be the man who is chosen to play behind Harry Kane.

Morgan Rogers has been a standout performer for Aston Villa, who are putting up a surprise title challenge, and Tuchel has shown he trusts the Villans’ star, who is a product of City’s academy. But if Foden continues to play a leading role in the Cityzens’ season, he could well turn the German coach’s head.