Ciaran Morrison

Tue 31 March 2026 7:00, UK

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Manchester City need to be supporting Phil Foden if the midfielder is to return to his best form this season.

That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who states that Foden is currently suffering “confidence issues.”

The 25-year-old has seen playing time limited recently, and has not scored a goal since December, as he has fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.

Rayan Cherki was preferred over Foden in the Carabao Cup final, whilst the arrival of Antoine Semenyo in January has increased competition for places.

Foden’s contract talks with Man City have stalled due to his recent form, with the midfielder’s current deal expiring in 2027.

Phil Foden’s ‘mental struggles’ hindering Man City performances

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Foden’s confidence will return once he breaks his goalscoring drought.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the mentality of players is an “important part” of being able to perform at the top level.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Look, I’ve got a lot of hope for him, I think he’s a talented player, but I understand the mental struggles that players at the top level go through.

“I hope that the club, and I’m sure the club are doing all they can to assist him, and are getting him through this. But it just goes to show the difference at the top level right now. Every single factor and so much of it is mental and the need for club psychologists, and I’ve always had those sort of roles, and I think we led at Villa in some of those areas as well, and it’s such an important part.

“So much of the game is mental and played through the belief and the passion of the players getting them in the right mindset and I think Foden’s an example of that. Hopefully he gets the minutes and things break for him. 

“It’s one of those things when suddenly you hit the post, it doesn’t go in, but then again you hit the post and it goes in, and then his confidence starts to come back.

“It’s all those sorts of factors, but it’ll also be day to day on the training pitch that are important for him, and I’m sure City are aware of it, but to me, it’s a personal confidence issue and I wish him the best and I hope it comes back.”  

John Stones’ future at Man City revealed

Former financial advisor at the Etihad, Stefan Borson, has told Football Insider that John Stones will not have his contract renewed at Man City.

Stones will likely be talking to other clubs and preparing his next move ahead of his departure from Man City at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old has rarely featured this season, and Nathan Ake was preferred in defence for the Carabao Cup final when Marc Guehi, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were all unavailable.