Pep Guardiola would no doubt be licking his chops to see Phil Foden back in training on Wednesday after the 24-year-old star has been absent for the past three weeks with an ongoing illness and missed City’s clashes with Ipswich and West Ham.
The brilliant attacking midfielder had originally been named in England’s squad for their games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, before he was forced to withdraw, alongside Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins.
Since winning the PFA Player of the Year award on Tuesday, August 20, Foden had been described as unwell and Guardiola claimed the midfielder had been in ‘discomfort’ after City’s win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend. However, in promising signs that bode well for City, Foden was pictured looking back to full fitness as he took part in City’s training session on Wednesday.
The mercurial midfielder was seen dueling for the ball alongside Mateo Kovacic, who had himself just returned from a week away with Croatia, while Kyle Walker was also back on the training pitch after missing out on England selection.
Having already had a disrupted start to the campaign after his exploits with the Three Lions at Euro 2024 over the summer, the 24-year-old only returned to pre-season after City had beaten United in the Community Shield on penalties.
He was introduced off the bench at half-time in their 2-0 victory over Chelsea on the opening weekend, before he missed the clashes with Ipswich and West Ham.
Guardiola had provided an update on Foden when he spoke ahead of that game with the Hammers, saying, “Hopefully after the international break Phil will be ready.
“He played 45 minutes against Chelsea and after he didn’t feel good.
“We made tests, he feels better but he doesn’t feel perfect so we prefer to give him time to come back after the international break and be ready for the next games.”
Foden garnered the PFA Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season in 2023-24 after a captivating campaign.
In total, the 24-year-old racked up 19 goals and eight assists as City won the Premier League for the fourth successive campaign.
Guardiola’s side return to action on Saturday when they host Brentford, before they kick off their Champions League campaign with a blockbuster clash against Inter Milan on Wednesday.