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The absence of a key player, especially one as exciting and talented as Phil Foden, always raises questions among fans. Today’s Manchester City match was no exception, and many are wondering: why wasn’t Phil Foden in the starting lineup or even included in the squad at all? The EFL Championship Games are worth watching at your leisure. Let’s try to understand the possible reasons.
Injury: The Most Likely Cause
The most common reason for a player’s absence from the field is injury. Phil Foden, like any other professional footballer, is at risk of injury. Even minor bruises or muscle strains can require time to recover and lead to missing several games.
It’s worth considering whether Foden has had any health issues in recent matches or training. Sometimes, information about minor injuries doesn’t immediately reach the wider media, but club doctors decide to temporarily suspend a player from training and games to prevent the situation from worsening. Even if a player feels well, the coaching staff may decide to rest him or perform preventative rehabilitation, especially if a series of important matches is coming up or the player has recently returned from a lengthy absence.
Tactical Decisions of the Head Coach
Pep Guardiola, known for his deep understanding of tactics and squad rotation, may decide to omit Foden for purely game-specific reasons.
Perhaps the Manchester City coaching staff analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of today’s opponents and concluded that a different set of players would be more effective for this particular game. Foden, an attacking midfielder, may be less effective against teams with very tight defenses or, conversely, against teams that actively press in the center of the field.
Guardiola often relies on players in peak physical condition. Perhaps other players in Foden’s position have demonstrated better fitness for today’s match.
A change in the team’s tactical system could also impact Foden’s presence in the starting lineup. For example, if a team plans to play with two strikers and one attacking midfielder, and there’s a more suitable player for that position, Foden may find himself on the bench.
Fatigue and the Need for Rotation
Modern football demands the highest levels of physical and mental endurance from players. Manchester City competes in numerous tournaments, and the fixture schedule is often very tight.
Phil Foden is one of the team’s most used players. After an intense schedule of games, flights, and training, the player may need rest to fully recover. This helps prevent injuries and maintain a high level of performance over the long term.
Guardiola is known for his workload management skills. He frequently rotates his squad to rest key players and keep them fresh for crucial matches.
You can find out the exact reasons for this by carefully reading all the news!